Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka trade light-hearted TikTok dispute during Wimbledon run

Friday, 03 July 2026 at 02:30

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka take to the court in an exhibition match

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka’s off-court relationship once again became a talking point at Wimbledon after a light-hearted exchange over a TikTok promise escalated into a brief public back-and-forth. The World No. 1 Sabalenka accused Djokovic of delaying a commitment to film three TikTok videos, turning a casual agreement into a joking dispute.

The interaction unfolded during both players’ Wimbledon campaigns, where Djokovic is chasing a record-extending eighth title and 25th Grand Slam overall. Sabalenka, meanwhile, continues her push for a maiden Wimbledon crown as she looks to add a fifth major to her resume after reaching multiple Slam finals in recent seasons.

Their relationship has developed into one of the more visible friendships on the tour, often characterised by humour and coordinated social media content. The latest exchange, however, briefly tested that dynamic when Sabalenka jokingly threatened to end the friendship if the TikTok promise was not fulfilled.

The situation escalated only in tone, not substance, with both players quickly clarifying that the disagreement was informal and part of their ongoing playful rapport on tour.

The TikTok disagreement

Sabalenka was the first to raise the issue publicly, framing it as a humorous complaint over Djokovic not following through on a previous agreement to film content together. The World No. 1 used strong but playful language to emphasise her point.

“Now he's (Novak Djokovic), like, trying to escape his promise, but whatever,” Sabalenka said. “I mean, he promised me three. I don't know, it was his promise. I said if he's playing that game, then there are no TikToks and no friendships anymore. He better do those three TikToks.”

Djokovic later addressed the exchange, acknowledging the promise while clarifying that the disagreement was not about whether to fulfil it, but how it would be structured. His explanation focused on logistics rather than intent.

“She seemed quite cold and avoidant,” Djokovic said. “You know she was right. I did promise three TikToks, but we had a dispute on the amount of TikToks at once. But is it going to be in the same go or over the course of three-plus days? So that's what I tried to negotiate.”

“It didn't go well,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion added. “As you saw, the negotiations kind of were done. They were cancelled. I still know what I promised, and when I promise something, I have to do it, but I don't know; it really depends on her.”

The situation was ultimately diffused by Jelena Djokovic, who responded directly on social media and proposed a compromise solution to the dispute. Her intervention reinforced the light nature of the exchange while offering a practical resolution. “Hahahaha I say over 3 days… we want to spend as much time togetheeeeeer 🥰🥰🥰🥰,” Jelena Djokovic wrote.

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Una publicación compartida de BBC SPORT (@bbcsport)

Wimbledon context for Djokovic and Sabalenka

Djokovic’s on-court campaign remains firmly on track after advancing through the early rounds with wins over Yibing Wu and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Serbian continues his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title and eighth Wimbledon crown, having consistently reached the latter stages of the tournament over the past decade.

Sabalenka has also progressed into the third round after wins over Teodora Kostovic and McCartney Kessler. The World No. 1 is targeting her first Wimbledon title and first major of the season after reaching the Australian Open final and Roland Garros quarter-finals earlier in the year.

Her next opponent is former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko, in what is expected to be one of the more aggressive matchups of the round. Sabalenka leads the H2H by 3-1, but this will be their first match on grass-courts.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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