Aug 19, 2024; Mason, OH, USA; Aryna Sabalenka gestures toward her team between serves in the second set of the womens championship match of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, for the championship.

tennis

“You Are as Handsome as Sabalenka”: Women’s World No. 1 Bursts Into Laughter After Jannik Sinner Comparison

Sabalenka and Sinner are the top seeds in Rome.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka shared a hilarious moment with the press on Tuesday, when asked about a comparison with Jannik Sinner. Sabalenka and Sinner are both set to take part in this week’s 2025 Italian Open in Rome. While the women’s top seed is defending runner-up points at the Italian capital, the men’s No. 1 did not take part in his home event last year.

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner have proven to be the crème de la crème of their respective circuits this season. The Belarusian has surpassed the 11,000 point mark on the WTA Tour, and is looking to reach her fifth consecutive final heading into Foro Italico (Indian Wells F, Miami W, Stuttgart F, Madrid W). She is miles clear of the rest of the playing field, and will look to capture her first Roland Garros championship in June.

On the other hand, Jannik Sinner has only taken part in one tournament so far in 2025 – the Australian Open in Melbourne Park. The 23-year-old brushed aside his counterparts to retain the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Between February and April, Sinner served a three month suspension from the sport due to a doping case. After officially being eligible to return from May 5, the three-time Grand Slam champion returns to his home turf.

Jannik Sinner Compared to ‘Handsome’ Sabalenka During Rome Training

Aryna Sabalenka was blushing after being called the beauty standard for Italy 😊

A reporter recounted to the world No. 1 the moment a spectator told Jannik Sinner that he is "as handsome as Sabalenka" during the Italian's practice session. pic.twitter.com/KjLmpOubvS
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 6, 2025

Gearing up for a highly anticipated return to Italy’s premier Masters-1000 competition, Sinner had a training session at the beginning of the week to prepare for the same. Things took a rib-tickling turn when someone from the crowd reportedly yelled, “Jannik [Sinner], you are as handsome as [Aryna] Sabalenka!” When asked about the same during a press conference, WTA No. 1 Sabalenka broke into a fit of laughter.

Initially confused, Sabalenka enquired, “Wait if I have what?” She continued, “I mean I always felt connected to Italy, to be honest. So grazie mille!” Although it was an unusual reference, the 27-year-old saw the lighter side of things. Sabalenka will look to dethrone Swiatek this week, who has won three out of the last four Rome Open titles.

For Sinner, the Italian Open 2025 promises to be an important step in the right direction. The top seed recently admitted to feeling isolated and dejected on tour after his positive doping tests, but has the opportunity to bounce back in style. Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has taken a fair share of digs at Sinner – including a sarcastic “he is a generation talent” remark ahead of the Foro Italico classic.

Aryna Sabalenka

ATP

Carlos Alcaraz

Iga Swiatek

Italian Open

Jannik Sinner

Rome Masters

Tennis

WTA

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.