The Cincinnati stage saw Belarusian tennis star Arina Sobolenko sharing a candid moment on social media, featuring Serbian icon Novak Djokovic in a playful struggle to reach a ball tossed by the man himself. The moment captured a lighthearted exchange between two global names amid a competitive week in the United States.
“23 helmets and I still can’t catch the ball, I’m sorry but I’m not sorry,” Sobolenko wrote in a caption beneath the snapshot, turning a routine practice into a humorous anecdote shared with fans.
Djokovic reacted quickly, reposting the image on his own page and sprinkling in a few smiley emojis in response to the moment.
The two players are currently competing in Cincinnati, where both have advanced to the third round. Sobolenko is scheduled to meet Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, while Djokovic is set to play against France’s Gael Monfils in the next round. The tournament carries a prize fund of 6.6 million dollars, underscoring its status as a key stop on the summer circuit in North America.
Earlier this year, Djokovic marked another milestone by clinching his 23rd Grand Slam title, outlasting Rafael Nadal in a memorable clash. That victory extended his record for the most major championships won by any player in the Open Era, a benchmark many peers and fans have watched closely throughout the season.
During a match in the United States, one of Djokovic’s opponents faced a sudden distraction when a spectator began imitating the buzz of a bee, prompting questions about on-court focus and audience behavior. Across the tour, players frequently address such interruptions, balancing the demands of intense competition with the need to maintain concentration and composure on big-stage events.