Aryna Sabalenka has issued a fiery four-word warning to rivals after confirming her blockbuster mixed doubles partnership with Novak Djokovic at the US Open later this month. The world No. 1 declared: “We are going full.”
Super Team Confirmed for Revamped Event
The two multi-Grand Slam champions have signed up for the mixed doubles event, which was revamped last year to last just two days before the main draws, with 16 teams competing under fast-4 set scoring. Last year, Sabalenka had to withdraw when her partner Grigor Dimitrov pulled out with a pectoral injury, while Djokovic and Olga Danilovic lost in round one.
The US Open recently released a provisional entry list for the mixed doubles. The final lineup will be confirmed later, with six teams gaining direct entry via combined singles ranking, eight receiving wildcards, and two coming through qualifying. Sabalenka and Djokovic, with a combined ranking of six and 28 Grand Slam titles between them, are expected to feature prominently.
Sabalenka Excited for the Challenge
Speaking after arriving in Toronto for the Canadian Open, Sabalenka expressed her excitement about teaming up with Djokovic. “I hope everyone going to be healthy this time! I'm pretty excited. I think it's going to be fun. Playing with Novak is always fun,” she said.
“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 only title, that's our goal, I believe, so it's going to be fun and intense, I believe.”
Return to Hard Courts
The four-time Major champion is relishing her return to hard courts, her best surface, after a fourth-round exit at Wimbledon. She explained her preparation: “It's a routine. It's lots of rallies, lots of basic work, like cross-court. I don't know, it's just like, kind of not going back to like really small variety of the game. Don't go too much into these angles, dropshots, serve and volley, just kind of bring back the baseline game, make sure I'm really confident there. Then, on top of that, put some variety.”
