Wimbledon, England — Novak Djokovic offered top-ranked Alina Sabalenka casual advice at Wimbledon on Saturday after a gatech rush at Belarusia’s press conference.
Djokovic and Savalenka practiced together at the All England Club this week ahead of the start of the Grass Court Grand Slam tournament. Wimbledon seven-time champion Djokovic playfully paused the end of Sabalenka’s press conference on Saturday, saying he could hurry up and take over the podium.
Sabalenka then took on the role of interviewer as reporters had asked her about the session in court.
“What did you think about hitting with me?” the three major winner asked Jjokovic. “How’s my level? How am I doing?”
Djokovic, who won a 24 grand slam, was quick with a quip.
“I think you have the potential. You really seem like a talented player,” he said. He offers a criticism of Sabalenka, known as one of the biggest hitters on the women’s circuit.
“To be honest? You’re under-intensive in court,” Djokovic said with a laugh. “You don’t have enough strength. It’s too flat. You have to lighten a little and put that strength into it.”
Djokovic has experience with this kind of hijink. He returned to the All England Club in 2011 and was a Serbian who hit the podium at the time. 1 Caroline Wozniacki crashed the press conference and asked him a question.
Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title, with Wozniacki losing in the fourth round.
Djokovic will open a bid for Wimbledon’s eighth title when he played Frenchman Alexandre Muller on Tuesday. Sabalenka will play Carson Bransteen on Monday.
