“Stop copying me”: Aryna Sabalenka teases Djokovic in Paris post-Roland Garros exchange

Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic shared a light-hearted exchange on social media following Roland Garros, after the 24-time Grand Slam champion posted a series of photos from his stay in Paris, which quickly prompted a reaction from the world No. 1 in the comments section.

The interaction added another chapter to a growing pattern of public exchanges between the two players, who have developed a visibly friendly relationship off the court in recent years.

Their connection has often extended beyond tennis, with shared social moments involving their respective partners and appearances together in informal settings. Djokovic has also been linked through business interests with Sabalenka’s partner, Georgios Frangulis.

The latest exchange began after Djokovic, who also won Olympic gold in Paris 2024, shared a photo dump from his time in the French capital. The Serbian reached only the third round at Roland Garros 2026, where he was eliminated by Brazilian teenager João Fonseca, once again falling short in his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title.

Sabalenka responded directly in the comments section with a message that quickly went viral across tennis social platforms. “The first photo looks more like Saba’s style. Stop copying me,” she wrote, turning a routine post into a cross-tour interaction between two of the sport’s most recognisable figures.

The relationship between Sabalenka and Djokovic has also been marked by recurring light-hearted interactions, including a “dance challenge” they previously shared during tournaments, where both players would respond to each other’s on-court celebrations with new dance moves. That trend became one of the talking points during Roland Garros 2025, when Djokovic reached the semi-finals and Sabalenka reached the final.

This time, however, both players saw earlier exits in Paris. Djokovic was eliminated in the opening week by Fonseca, while Sabalenka reached the quarter-finals, where she suffered a heavy defeat against Diana Shnaider, losing the deciding set 0-6. Despite the shorter campaigns, their off-court dynamic continued to generate attention.

The most recent interaction was triggered by one specific image in Djokovic’s post, where Sabalenka noticed a casual selfie in which the Serbian makes a lip gesture that she interpreted as resembling her “style.” The comment quickly gained traction and set off the viral exchange between the two.

The response from Djokovic followed shortly after, maintaining the humorous tone of the interaction. “Now I’m in my Sabalenka era,” he replied, acknowledging the comparison and leaning into the playful narrative rather than dismissing it.

The exchange once again highlighted how top players across the ATP and WTA Tours increasingly engage with each other on social media, particularly after major tournaments. While both are known for their competitive intensity on court, moments like this continue to reinforce a more relaxed and visible post-match culture among elite players.