LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic offered some lighthearted advice to top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon on Saturday after gatecrashing the Belarusian's news conference.
Djokovic and Sabalenka spent some time practicing together at the All England Club this week ahead of the start of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, then playfully interrupted the end of Sabalenka's news conference on Saturday by telling her to hurry up so he could take over the podium.
Sabalenka then took on the role of interviewer as reporters had been asking her about their session on court.
“What did you think about hitting with me?" the three-time major winner asked Djokovic. "How do you see my level? Am I good?”
Djokovic, who holds a total of 24 Grand Slams, was quick with a quip.
“I think you have the potential. You're like a really talented player,” he said, before offering a criticism of Sabalenka — who is known as one of the biggest hitters on the women's circuit.
“Can I be honest? You're lacking intensity on the court," Djokovic said, drawing laughter. “You don't have enough intensity. It's too flat. You've got to lighten up a little bit and put some power into it.”
Djokovic has experience with this kind of hijinks. Back at the All England Club in 2011, it was the then-second ranked Serb at the podium when then-No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki crashed his news conference and peppered him with questions.
Djokovic went on to win his first Wimbledon title, while Wozniacki lost in the fourth round.
Djokovic opens his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title on Tuesday when he plays Alexandre Muller of France. Sabalenka plays Carson Branstine on Monday.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus attend a practice session at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, ahead of the Wimbledon Championships in London, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus attend a practice session at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, ahead of the Wimbledon Championships in London, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)
MONTREAL (AP) — Mike Matheson and Juraj Slafkovsky scored goals 37 seconds apart to start the third period, propelling the Montreal Canadiens to a 6-3 win over the last-place Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.
Alexandre Carrier scored twice in a 20-second span in the second period for Montreal, which rebounded from a 4-0 home-ice loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Noah Dobson and Oliver Kapanen also scored in the Canadiens' fourth straight win over the Canucks.
Jakub Dobes, making his first start since Jan. 1, stopped 20 shots for Montreal. Dobes defeated Vancouver for the second time in as many outings this season.
Elias Pettersson, Evander Kane and Max Sasson scored for the Canucks.
Vancouver has lost the first four games of its season-long six-game Eastern Conference road trip. Overall, the Canucks have lost seven straight and nine of their last 10.
Nikita Tolopilo made 35 saves in his first appearance in goal for Vancouver since Dec. 8.
The Belarusian goaltender was recalled Sunday under emergency conditions from the Canucks’ AHL affiliate.
Starter Thatcher Demko was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury he suffered in his team’s 5-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Demko returned to Vancouver to be further evaluated by the Canucks’ medical staff.
Vancouver scored the opening goal of the game for the first time in six games, marking their first lead in a game since Dec. 30.
Carrier’s first goal was his 100th career point. It also was the first career multigoal game for the 29-year-old blueliner.
Canucks: At Ottawa on Tuesday in the fifth game of a six-game trip.
Canadiens: At Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Carrier, second from left, scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo (60) as Canucks' Tom Willander (5) defends during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Canucks' Max Sasson (63) scores against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo (60) watches the puck in front of Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Texier (85) as Canucks' Marcus Pettersson (29) defends during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Carrier (45) scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo, bottom left, as Canucks' Tom Willander (5) defends during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
