LONDON — Any speculations about a persisting rivalry between tennis stars Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka seem to have been dispelled, as the two athletes showcased a friendly rapport by dancing together at Wimbledon on Friday, subsequently sharing the moment on social media.
Sabalenka took to Instagram to share a video of their energetic dance on the Centre Court grass, grooving to C+C Music Factory’s 1990 hit, “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”. Her caption underscored the power of dance in fostering camaraderie: “TikTok dances always had a way of bringing people together.”
Gauff, an avid TikTok enthusiast, also shared a video of the duo standing outside Wimbledon’s main stadium. They playfully lip-synced to a track that exclaimed: “OK, guys, we’re back. Did you miss us? ’Cause we missed you.” With humor, she noted in her caption, “The olive branch was extended and accepted! We’re good so you guys should be too.”
Ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, Sabalenka and Gauff complemented their social media fun with a practice session on Centre Court as they prepared for the imminent Wimbledon tournament starting Monday.
Their lighthearted interaction comes on the heels of a tightly contested championship clash three weeks prior at the French Open. Gauff triumphed over Sabalenka with scores of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4. Post-match, Sabalenka faced backlash for suggesting Gauff won not due to her stellar play, but because of Sabalenka’s unforced errors.
Acknowledging her misstep, Sabalenka later expressed regret over her comments, labeling them as “unprofessional,” and took the initiative to apologize to Gauff in writing.
Hailing from Belarus, the 27-year-old Sabalenka has captured three Grand Slam titles, while the 21-year-old Gauff from America boasts two major victories, including the U.S. Open in 2023, both times besting Sabalenka in finals.
In this year’s Wimbledon tournament, the two can only possibly meet again in the decisive match scheduled for July 12.