“We are chasing the only title”: Aryna Sabalenka sets goal with Novak Djokovic at US Open
WTAMonday, 03 August 2026 at 02:30
Aryna Sabalenka will have one of the most anticipated partnerships at the 2026 US Open after confirming she will team up with Novak Djokovic for the mixed doubles event. The world No. 1 and the 24-time Grand Slam champion will headline the draw in New York, creating a first-time pairing between two of the biggest names in tennis.
The Belarusian discussed the partnership during her Canadian Open press conference, where she admitted she is excited to share the court with Djokovic, a player with whom she has developed a close friendship on and off the tour. The duo’s chemistry has already attracted attention, with both players frequently showing mutual respect throughout their careers.
Sabalenka was initially scheduled to compete in last year’s US Open mixed doubles event alongside Grigor Dimitrov, but the Bulgarian’s injury during Wimbledon forced him to withdraw. Rather than finding a new partner, the four-time Grand Slam champion decided to skip the competition, which introduced a revamped format in 2025.
Now, Sabalenka and Djokovic will join forces with a clear objective: competing for the title. While the Belarusian has limited experience in Grand Slam mixed doubles, she believes the different format can bring a new type of energy during one of the most demanding stretches of the season.
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“We’re chasing the only title”: Sabalenka excited to team up with Djokovic
Sabalenka explained that playing alongside Djokovic will bring a different type of challenge, especially because mixed doubles is not a regular part of her schedule. The Belarusian has limited Grand Slam mixed doubles experience, but believes the format can provide a unique atmosphere.
“I hope everyone's going to be healthy this time, and I'm pretty excited. I think it's going to be fun, and playing with Novak is always fun,” Sabalenka said during her Canadian Open press conference.
The Belarusian also made clear that she and Djokovic will not treat the opportunity as just an exhibition experience. With both players already established as champions in singles, their goal will be to compete for the title in New York.
“Mixed doubles, I played it once in my life, I mean on the Grand Slams, and we are going full, you know, we’re chasing the only title, that's our goal, I believe, so it's going to be fun and intense,” she added.
The partnership arrives at a key moment for Sabalenka, who remains one of the biggest forces in women’s tennis but is still searching for her first Grand Slam title of the 2026 season. Despite maintaining the world No. 1 ranking, she fell short in Melbourne, Paris and London, making the North American hard-court swing particularly important.
“The rest was much needed”: Sabalenka returns to hard courts after mental reset
Sabalenka also reflected on the break she took after Wimbledon, admitting that the demanding schedule had started to affect her both physically and mentally. The Belarusian arrived in Toronto for her first hard-court tournament of the North American swing after a period where she felt she needed time away from competition.
“I suffered during the summer swing a lot, like with my body, with mentally also a little bit, and it was much needed,” Sabalenka said.
The reset came after a difficult stretch on clay and grass. Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and the fourth round at Wimbledon. However, those results came after an exceptional start to the year on hard courts, where she reached the final in all four tournaments she played and won three titles.
The Belarusian explained that she only needed a short break after Wimbledon to recover physically and mentally before returning to training for the second half of the season.
“After spending, I don't know, five, six days, maybe not even that, I felt much, much better. I couldn't wait to get back on court and start working towards my goals for this swing,” she said.
Toronto represents an important opportunity for Sabalenka, who has already won 11 WTA 1000 titles across six different events but is still searching for her first Canadian Open trophy. Her best result at the tournament came in 2021, when she reached the semifinals, while she skipped last year’s edition and does not have points to defend.
The world No. 1 arrives in Canada with a 36-6 record in 2026 and will begin her campaign against the winner between Moyuka Uchijima and Cristina Bucsa. With Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula among the players chasing her at the top of the rankings, Sabalenka knows the upcoming weeks could be crucial before her US Open title defense begins.
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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