Jelena Djokovic's Rare Public Message of Support for Aryna Sabalenka
In a surprising and powerful gesture, Jelena Djokovic, wife of tennis legend Novak Djokovic, sent a rare public message of support to Aryna Sabalenka after the Belarusian star secured her place in the women's singles final at the 2026 Australian Open. This unexpected show of solidarity came shortly after Sabalenka's dominant semifinal victory, adding an intriguing personal dimension to the tournament's climax.
Sabalenka's Commanding Semifinal Performance
Aryna Sabalenka booked her spot in the Australian Open final with an impressive straight-sets victory over Elina Svitolina in Thursday's semifinal match. Playing with remarkable composure and precision, Sabalenka looked calm, sharp, and completely in control throughout the encounter. She sealed her place in the championship match with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 win on January 29 at Melbourne Park, demonstrating why she remains one of the most formidable competitors in women's tennis.
Following her triumph, Sabalenka took to Instagram to share her excitement about reaching another final. Her post featured three photographs and a short video clip from her semifinal victory, accompanied by the caption: "Final push ? @australianopen." While the post naturally attracted attention from fans and fellow players, one particular comment stood out from the rest.
Jelena Djokovic's Public Endorsement
Jelena Djokovic, who maintains a relatively low public profile compared to her famous husband, made a rare appearance in the comments section to openly back Sabalenka for the title. Her enthusiastic message read: "Let's go!!!! ???????." This public show of support was particularly noteworthy given Jelena's typically reserved nature on social media platforms.
The timing of this endorsement carries significant weight as Sabalenka stands just one victory away from lifting the Australian Open trophy for the third time in her career. This would mark her fourth appearance in the tournament's final, cementing her status as one of the most successful players in recent Australian Open history. Jelena's message adds an interesting layer of support as Sabalenka prepares for what could be another historic achievement.
Historic Final Showdown Against Elena Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka now faces Elena Rybakina in what promises to be an epic Australian Open final, a matchup rich with historical significance and personal rivalry. The two players last met in an Australian Open final in 2023, where Sabalenka staged a remarkable comeback from a set down to claim the championship. She successfully defended her title in 2024 with a victory over Zheng Qinwen, though she finished as runner-up last year when Madison Keys secured a surprise victory.
Following her semifinal win against Svitolina, Sabalenka shared her thoughts about facing Rybakina during her post-match press conference. According to the official Australian Open media transcript, she commented: "I think her shots are heavy, deep, flat balls that are not easy to work with. We have great history. She's an incredible player. We had a lot of great battles, a lot of finals we played. If it's gonna be her, I'm looking forward to battling this power."
Head-to-Head History and Recent Form
The statistics reveal a closely contested rivalry between these two tennis powerhouses. Sabalenka currently leads their head-to-head record 8-6, demonstrating the competitive balance between them. However, Rybakina claimed victory in their most recent encounter at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she secured a 6-3, 7-6(0) win to capture the prestigious year-end title for the first time in her career.
This final brings together multiple compelling narratives: historical rivalry, current form, and now unexpected public support from one of tennis's most recognizable families. With Jelena Djokovic's rare endorsement adding to the drama, the 2026 Australian Open women's final is shaping up to be another significant chapter in the ongoing Sabalenka-Rybakina rivalry, promising high-quality tennis and intense competition for fans worldwide.
