“Why we need Zheng Qinwen, someone to hate other players” – Fans joke about Iga Swiatek & Aryna Sabalenka’s joint training ahead of Australian Open
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka trained together in Abu Dhabi. The Pole and the Belarusian, who seem to have struck up a friendship despite being fierce rivals, were in the capital of the United Arab Emirates to take part in the 2024 World Tennis League, an exhibition team tennis event. Their joint training session prompted fans to come up with hilarious reactions.
Swiatek was a part of team Eagles, alongside lovebirds Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa, and Alexander Shevchenko. Meanwhile, Sabalenka led team Hawks, with Mirra Andreeva, Jordan Thompson and Sumit Nagal being the reigning WTA World No. 1’s teammates. Swiatek, currently the No. 2 on the WTA Tour rankings, was captured by cameras training with Sabalenka at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena.
Some fans couldn’t believe the positive vibes between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka during their joint training session. One opined that Zheng Qinwen is needed on the WTA Tour because of her attitude towards her rivals. Earlier this year, Zheng stated that she had no intention of being friends with her peers on the WTA Tour.
“All this friendship and love is exactly why we need Qinwen Zheng on tour. Someone needs to hate the other players and spit barbs and shade on her rivals, and f**king hate it when they beat her,” a fan wrote.
