World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open after easily defeating Naomi Osaka in their Round of 16 match on Tuesday. This was only the second time the two have faced each other, with the first meeting occurring in the fourth round of the 2018 US Open.
Despite their limited head-to-head meetings, the pair has a long-standing off-court relationship, as they were both represented by the same tennis agency before Osaka switched hers in January. Sabalenka is now represented by Evolve, a firm co-founded by Osaka and her agent, Stuart Duguid, in 2025.
While Sabalenka remains with Evolve, Osaka moved on from her own agency back to IMG Tennis, which had previously managed the Japanese star from 2016 to 2022. After their match at Indian Wells, either player was asked a question about it during their post-match press conference.
“Not at all. I just feel sorry for her that she had to move back from Evolve to IMG. I don’t think that’s a smart decision. I’m happy, I’m super happy that now, all the time, they’re kind of like, how you say, balancing between Naomi and me, and now I get most of the time. I’m happy with that (smiling),” Sabalenka said.
“Was she laughing when she said it (smiling)? Look, we’re two different people, like, for sure. I think her experiences aren’t the same as mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, you know. For me, I have always loved IMG,” Osaka said.
“I have been treated really well there, and the people there are really kind to me. I would recommend IMG to people. I guess she wouldn’t. But, yeah, I think we just have two very different experiences at two different places,” she added.
Aryna Sabalenka Continues Her Quest For Title at Indian Wells
Sabalenka is loving the pressure that comes with being the World No. 1 at any tournament. The Bulgarian is chasing only her second WTA title this year and the first at the 1000 level after previously winning the Brisbane International during the Australian swing. Talking about the pressure, Sabalenka stated that it is what makes her better at the game.
“Well, I feel like it’s — I mean, of course it’s a pressure, but at the same time, that’s how I get better, because they go out there, they have to do something extra. I feel like that’s the way they feel and that’s what they do, and that’s how I get better and stronger,” Sabalenka said.
“I feel like they do, like, extra, and I feel that on important points, they’re gonna drop the level. This is where I can step in, and this is how I basically, yeah, become a better player,” she added.
Sabalenka will now take on teenage sensation Victoria Mboko in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, while holding a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head battle. Their previous meeting came in the fourth round of the Australian Open, where the Bulgarian dispatched the Canadian in straight sets.
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