“He Was Begging Me to Play”: Aryna Sabalenka Laughs Off Grigor Dimitrov’s Campaign to Be Her Doubles Partner

Tennis’s favorite on-tour flirtation just got a whole lot cheekier.

Aryna Sabalenka, never one to hold back with her trademark sass, recently had the tennis world in stitches as she casually roasted ATP heartthrob Grigor Dimitrov during a press conference. The subject? Doubles. Or more specifically, Dimitrov’s persistent campaign to be her doubles partner. And according to Aryna, he was—wait for it—begging.

“He was begging me to play,” she said with a laugh, throwing a playful jab that lit up social media and sent tennis fans into a frenzy. “Like seriously, texting me non-stop. I had to mute him.”

Of course, the interaction was all in good fun, with Aryna clearly enjoying the moment—and the attention. But underneath the banter, there’s a layer of intrigue. Could we actually see the Sabalenka-Dimitrov dream team on court sometime soon?

Both players are known for their charisma, athleticism, and love of entertaining fans. A mixed doubles pairing would be pure box office. Think powerhouse groundstrokes, stylish net play, and endless smirks exchanged between points. Add their chemistry and flair for drama, and you’ve got the makings of a mixed doubles duo fans would pay to watch.

Still, for now, it seems Aryna’s keeping Grigor on ice. “Maybe if he promises to stop asking every day,” she joked. “We’ll see.”

The tennis world, naturally, is rooting for it. Dimitrov, with his elegant one-hander and easy charm, and Sabalenka, with her ferocious power and infectious energy, would be a match made in doubles heaven—and TikTok gold. The pairing has fan-fiction written all over it.

Their friendship off court has long been a source of speculation and amusement, with plenty of photos, hugs, and not-so-subtle Instagram teasing to fuel the gossip mill. But Aryna’s latest quip just added a new chapter to their saga: one that has both WTA and ATP fans hoping their playful dynamic finds its way onto the court.

Whether or not we actually get to see them team up remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—Grigor better keep those texts coming. Because when Aryna Sabalenka starts teasing, the entire tennis world listens, laughs, and crosses its fingers for a wild-card entry with a side of chaos and charm.