Aryna Sabalenka reveals major change after taking Novak Djokovic advice ahead of US Open

WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has revealed how a conversation with Novak Djokovic has sparked a major change to her game ahead of the US Open.

Sabalenka has won the last two editions of the North American major and will be hoping to extend her run at Flushing Meadows next month after a disappointing 2026, during which she has failed to win any of the three majors – the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

Despite winning 86 per cent of her singles matches, Sabalenka has failed to capture a major, with her best Grand Slam performance of the year coming at the Australian Open, where she lost to Elena Rybakina in the final. However, she did win the Brisbane International and complete the Sunshine Double.

At the French Open, she suffered a shock defeat to Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals despite being a set and two breaks up at one stage.

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Last time out at Wimbledon, she lost to Naomi Osaka in the round of 16, after which she joked that she just wanted to get drunk and drown her sorrows.

She said: "I f**ked it up this year. Next year I'll try ‌to do ⁠better. I just think, to be honest, I feel like my level was really low today, plus she was feeling her best. With every game we would play, I would feel worse, she would feel better."

“I'll get back stronger,” Sabalenka added. “We'll start building everything from scratch for the next one.”

Sabalenka reveals Djokovic advice

And it appears the Belarusian has evaluated her game ahead of the fourth major of the season, even taking advice from 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.

During an appearance on First&Red, the 28-year-old revealed: “We were talking once, and I really like his return game. We were chatting, so I asked, ‘Listen, what do you focus on when you’re standing there waiting to return? Because, well, your return is better.’

“He said, well, first of all, he has a specific stance; I tried it, and it really made it easier for me to react. Plus, he said, ‘I focus on myself; I just try to do a split-step and then react.’ Also, you can often see where the opponent is serving, or you get a feel for it.

“So, that was the advice! Ever since then, he’s been like, ‘You’re copying me.’ Well, it’s sort of like copying the best. His technique helped me.

“I changed things up a bit. I feel like, well, it’s somewhat similar. Not exactly the same, actually, but the technique is a little like his.”

Sabalenka has not lost at the US Open since the 2023 edition, when she finished as runner-up to Coco Gauff.