"Why we need Zheng Qinwen, someone to hate other players" - Fans joke about Iga Swiatek & Aryna Sabalenka's joint training ahead of Australian Open

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka trained together in Abu Dhabi. The Pole and the Belarusian, who seem to have struck up a friendship despite being fierce rivals, were in the capital of the United Arab Emirates to take part in the 2024 World Tennis League, an exhibition team tennis event. Their joint training session prompted fans to come up with hilarious reactions.

Swiatek was a part of team Eagles, alongside lovebirds Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa, and Alexander Shevchenko. Meanwhile, Sabalenka led team Hawks, with Mirra Andreeva, Jordan Thompson and Sumit Nagal being the reigning WTA World No. 1's teammates. Swiatek, currently the No. 2 on the WTA Tour rankings, was captured by cameras training with Sabalenka at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena.

Some fans couldn't believe the positive vibes between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka during their joint training session. One opined that Zheng Qinwen is needed on the WTA Tour because of her attitude towards her rivals. Earlier this year, Zheng stated that she had no intention of being friends with her peers on the WTA Tour.

"All this friendship and love is exactly why we need Qinwen Zheng on tour. Someone needs to hate the other players and spit barbs and shade on her rivals, and f**king hate it when they beat her," a fan wrote.

"This isn’t what God intended man," commented another.

"I love this! But I also love rivals who want to kill each other," another chimed in.

Others joked about the friendship brewing between the Pole and the Belarusian.

"When I remember how Iga treats her besties on court," wrote one fan, with a GIF featuring Kamala Harris

"I’m crying they really hung out once and instantly clocked that they match each other’s freak," another expressed.

"This is how big Lenka started beating on Badosa, that bestie voodoo strong," yet another fan weighed in.

Swiatek and Sabalenka are among the favorites for the 2025 Australian Open women's singles title. The Belarusian will be the two-time defending champion in Melbourne come January 2025, having won the hardcourt Major in 2023 and 2024.

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Aryna Sabalenka dethrones Iga Swiatek, finishes 2024 as year-end World No. 1

Aryna Sabalenka (Source: Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka had briefly become the World No. 1 in 2023 amid her run to the US Open final. However, Iga Swiatek ultimately reclaimed the top spot on the WTA rankings and finished the year at the summit of women's singles tennis.

This year though, Sabalenka not only managed to dethrone Swiatek but also managed to keep her No. 1 ranking for the rest of the season. The Belarusian had a stellar second half of the season, winning three titles to add to the Australian Open trophy that she won at the beginning of the year (Cincinnati Open, US Open, Wuhan Open).

Meanwhile, Swiatek enjoyed more success in the first half of the season, winning the Qatar Open, BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Madrid Open, Italian Open and French Open. However, she couldn't maintain her momentum in the second half of 2024. The Pole was also embroiled in a controversial doping row and accepted a one-month ban.