Intergenerational echoes in tennis: Sabalenka praises veterans Djokovic, Wawrinka, and Cilic

At 27, Alina Sabalenka stood in the Melbourne Park press room, praising Djokovic, Wawrinka, and Cilic as “legends” and “all-time greats.” These three seasoned players are writing touching chapters about endurance in men’s tennis through hard-fought matches. This tribute across generations is not only a salute to predecessors but also reflects Sabalenka’s deeper reflection on her own career — about passion, challenges, and breaking the invisible “age barrier” in sports.

At the 2026 Australian Open, the presence of three “post-80s” veterans stood out vividly. The 38-year-old Djokovic remains a benchmark in men’s tennis; as the only “30+” player ranked in the ATP top twenty, he swept his first two rounds without dropping a set. Behind his 24 Grand Slam titles lies relentless daily skill refinement. The 37-year-old Cilic, no longer in the world’s top ten, caused an upset by defeating 21st seed Shapovalov with sharp serves and resilient baseline play, proving that veterans’ edge remains intact despite time. The 40-year-old Wawrinka came with a special significance for his final Australian Open journey; his narrow victory in a fifth-set tiebreak against a younger opponent set a record of 49 Grand Slam five-set matches, embodying the true spirit of a “fighter.”

While these three veterans gave their all under Melbourne’s scorching sun, Sabalenka, at the peak of women’s tennis, watched them with a sense of kinship. “They are all legends, the best ever, especially Novak,” she said with admiration. As a close friend of Djokovic, the Belarusian player fully understands the price behind such longevity. She admitted that Djokovic’s success is never just a gift of talent but the result of “a career-long honing of skills,” combined with “strong physical condition, peak form, and intense focus.” In her view, modern tennis no longer has strict age limits; “what matters is how you face challenges and whether you have a professional team supporting you,” which is exactly the strength she draws from these veterans.

As the WTA world number one holding four Grand Slam singles titles, 27-year-old Sabalenka is in the prime of her career and the top favorite for the Australian Open women’s singles title. When asked how long she expects her career to last, her response was candid and relaxed — “I don’t obsess over long-term plans.” This calmness comes precisely from the example set by her predecessors: if Djokovic can still compete with younger players at 38, and Wawrinka can battle through five-set matches at 40, then why should she let age define her career span?

Even more movingly, Sabalenka extends this mindset beyond the court. She openly shares that her ideal life plan includes “having a child around 32,” along with the ambition to “return to competition after childbirth.” “I have always loved taking on tough challenges, and even after having a child, I want to see if I can maintain my peak form.” These words shed the world number one’s aura and sound more like a heartfelt confession from a tennis lover. Perhaps in ten years, we really might see the “tennis grandma” Sabalenka defying age on the tour, competing alongside the new generation of young players.

As Djokovic, Wawrinka, and Cilic push towards the Australian Open fourth round on Saturday, Sabalenka will face rising star Victoria Mboko on Sunday. On different courts, they share a common goal; at different ages, they carry the same passion. The veterans embody the idea that “legends never die” through persistence, while the young leaders outline endless career possibilities with thoughtfulness and courage.

This is the true charm of tennis. It’s never just a contest of wins and losses but a spiritual legacy crossing generations. When Sabalenka watches her elders’ backs, she sees not only three thrilling matches but also a path she can follow — no matter how time changes, as long as passion remains and challenges continue, the tennis stage will always hold a place for the brave.

[Look at me][Give myself a flower][Bow]

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