'Everything started when I asked her to do a TikTok video' - Aryna Sabalenka gets candid on new relationship with rival Iga Swiatek

The 2025 Roland Garros tournament will feature a mouthwatering semifinal clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek on Thursday. Both athletes are formidable on the court, but their personalities differ greatly during their down time.

Sabalenka is known for being charismatic and outgoing, whereas Swiatek tends to maintain a certain level of privacy. Initially both women moved in different circles but lately they have struck up a new relationship that borders on a healthy respect for each other.

It all began with a TikTok, recalls Sabalenka

Following her quarterfinal victory over Qinwen Zheng, Sabalenka was asked on her thoughts regarding her semifinal opponent. The Belarusian revealed she was maintaining a good relationship with Swiatek, with the duo even practicing on occasion, as opposed to before when they made little to no contact with each other outside of during matches.

"I think everything just stared when I came to her and asked her to do a TikTok at the WTA Finals in Riyadh," said Sabalenka. "And since that, we were like, okay maybe we can communicate. We can be good to each other, we can practice sometimes. So, I think that was the first step to a better relationship."

Sabalenka would go on to describe the TikTok video, stating they performed a dance together.

"I did a TikTok last year in Riyadh at the WTA Finals," said the World No.1. "We just did a little dance together. So I think since then we were better with each other."