Aryna Sabalenka has revealed that she will not impose a training ban to hit with Iga Swiatek or any of her top rivals at Wimbledon. The world number one’s stance is in complete contrast to Roger Federer, who used to refuse to practise with any player he deemed a direct rival at grand slams.
Sabalenka has already booked her spot in the second round at this year’s Wimbledon after making light work of qualifier Teodora Kostovic, winning in straight sets in one hour and five minutes. The Belarusian will be eager to go all the way this year after being stopped in the semi-final by eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova in 2025.
The four-time Grand Slam winner is yet to win a major this year, with Elena Rybakina beating her in the final at the Australian Open and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva claiming her first big triumph at the French Open.
Defending champion Swiatek, who kickstarts her defence against Taylor Townsend on Centre Court on Tuesday, is one of the firm favourites alongside Sabalenka. Despite this, the 28-year-old refused to rule out practising with her or other top rivals this week.
“I don’t mind practising, it doesn’t matter who that is. If it’s Jelena [Ostapenko], if it’s Iga, if it’s [Jessica] Pegula, someone who’s tough out there, and I can face them. I don’t mind that, to be honest.
“I think it’s all about which coach is friends with whom, then somehow… I don’t know, we keep the same players, the ones I’m hitting with. I don’t mind practising. I can practise with anyone, to be honest.”
Sabalenka’s comments show that she clearly does not see the issue that Federer had with his rivals. Andy Murray recently revealed that he used to train with Federer early in his career, but that the Swiss legend stopped hitting with him once he became a threat at major tournaments.
Federer was the only one of the big three who did this.
“I would practice with them, I’d practice with Djokovic and Nadal,” Murray said. “When I first started, I would practice with Federer. But after a year or two he stopped, he wouldn’t practice with me anymore.
“He never practised with Djokovic or Nadal, I think because he considered them to be a competitor.”