Novak who? Aryna Sabalenka picks her top-5 tennis legends and leaves out her friend Djokovic

Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka chose her top 5 historical tennis players (male and female), including two women and leaving out none other than her friend, Novak Djokovic. It's unclear if she forgot him or simply omitted him from her ranking, but what is certain is that Sabalenka placed Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion, at the top of her list, which also featured two women.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has already advanced to the third round of the US Open after a pair of hard-fought victories against Rebeka Masarova (7-5, 6-1) and Polina Kudermetova (7-6, 6-2). Sabalenka is now preparing to face Leylah Fernandez in her quest to advance to the second week of the tournament.

When asked about watching herself play, Sabalenka admitted it’s not her favourite activity. She confessed that reviewing footage often makes her feel embarrassed because she looks “so different and aggressive” on court compared to her naturally warm personality off court. Yet she also recognises that this intensity is what fuels her success. To cope with the constant scrutiny and expectations of being a top player, she credits her inner circle: “It’s really important to have the right people around you.” In Sabalenka’s world, pressure isn’t avoided—it’s embraced, normalised, and redirected.

Of course, reaching the world No. 1 ranking comes with its own set of challenges. Sabalenka acknowledges that while the title carries prestige, it is the majors that define true legacies in tennis. Contracts and bonuses may hinge on ranking, but the hunger for Grand Slam trophies is what drives the top 10. For Sabalenka, improvement is non-negotiable: “To keep being where you are, you have to improve yourself every day, bring something new into the game, and surprise your opponents.” It’s a mindset that echoes the great champions she admires, like Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, and Roger Federer.

Sabalenka’s approach to competition is straightforward: dedicate everything to sport and turn into a warrior on court. Off court, however, she’s known for her laughter, love of shopping, and openness. Her playful description of New York life — “plan or shoot content, eat, shop, eat, shop again, eat again, then shop online” — shows the lighthearted side of a champion. Yet when match day arrives, there’s no time for jokes. “On court, there’s no time for jokes. I’m there to play, fight, and get the wins,” she explains. That duality — beauty and beast — has become her trademark.

Despite already being a Slam champion and a former No. 1, Sabalenka insists her best is yet to come. She wants to refine her slice, improve on clay and grass, and continue to evolve as both a player and a person. Retirement is a distant thought — though she dreams of one day balancing tennis with family life. As she jokes, she’ll likely be “very old but still trying.” And when her career is remembered decades from now, she hopes the world will see her as both — beauty and beast.

Away from the rallies and the trophies, Sabalenka also speaks candidly about the business of tennis. Asked what she would change if she were in charge of the WTA for a day, her response is direct and uncompromising: “Prize money. Not only in WTA — tennis players in general deserve more. If you compare our sport to the NBA, NHL, or golf, the percentages are a joke. We need to bring those numbers higher.” It’s a statement that reflects both her competitive drive and her desire to see tennis evolve financially for future generations.

She also acknowledges the emotional weight of becoming world No. 1. “When you reach your goals, all those memories from the past come back — what you went through, what it took. It blows your mind. You’re proud of what you’ve built.” For Sabalenka, reaching the top was not just a number on the ranking board but a culmination of years of relentless work, setbacks, and self-belief.

Even with all that she has achieved, Sabalenka’s focus remains squarely on growth. She insists she is still learning, still adding to her game, and still eager to surprise opponents with new tools. Her long-term vision includes family, but she admits with a smile that she’ll likely struggle to ever walk away from the sport she loves: “I’ll probably be one of those people who’s very old but keeps trying.”