Oh Look Who’s Back: Neymar Supports Aryna Sabalenka at the Women’s Masters!
While waiting to make his grand return to the football pitch in the oh-so-exciting Saudi championship, the dazzling Neymar decided to swap cleats for tennis shoes and show up at the Women’s Masters in Riyadh. And you thought it would be a quiet Saturday! Nothing says “I’m here to support women in sports” quite like a famous football star shining in the spotlight, right? It’s like your aunt showing up to Christmas dinner with a dazzling sequined dress—completely not needed but oh-so amusing!
The Royal Treatment at the King Saud University Indoor Arena
After a globetrotting jaunt that took the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals from Shenzhen to Texas to Cancun, they’ve plopped down in Riyadh, and guess who just waltzed in? Neymar! With his partner, Bruna Biancardi—who we should remind you is the mother of his second child, a little girl named Mavie—Neymar turned a simple tennis match into a football fan frenzy. Who needs a royal box when you have a football superstar casually taking selfies?
Support from the Football Icicle
And there was our icon, Neymar, basking in the glow of Aryna Sabalenka, the new world number one—because let’s face it, supporting a tennis player is probably as close as he’s gonna get to playing a match anytime soon. He even took to Instagram to post a photo of the two, cheekily calling her “Queen.” Oh, Neymar, you smooth talker! If that doesn’t earn him some brownie points on the courts, I don’t know what will!
From the Sidelines: Sabalenka’s Triumph
Aryna Sabalenka was chuffed, saying, “It’s cool, huh? He watched my match and it’s a pleasure to see great players come to watch me play. I was super happy to see him.” And why wouldn’t she be? With Neymar in her corner, she swatted away Zheng Qinwen like a stray cat at a fancy dinner party, winning the game 6-3, 6-4. Who knew Sabalenka had such a knack for making her opponents disappear quicker than a football manager at half-time! Next up in her path are Italian Jasmine Paolini and Kazakhstani ace Elena Rybakina. The competition is heating up, but let’s be honest, the real match was Neymar vs. the paparazzi. Spoiler alert: Neymar won.
Neymar: The Sidelines Warrior
Let’s not forget, Neymar recently faced his own drama—a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that sidelined him longer than a Netflix series without new episodes. He made his return to Al-Hilal on October 21, but alas, the Saudi Pro League hasn’t seen his dazzling footwork just yet. Apparently, his club decided to keep him benched like a prized garden gnome while they flex their foreign player muscles—because nothing says ‘fabulous’ like Yassine Bounou, Kalidou Koulibaly, and João Cancelo stealing the spotlight, right?
Final Thoughts
So, as Neymar continues to soak up the tennis atmosphere, let’s remember that the Women’s Masters is giving us not only top-tier tennis but a delightful intersection of sports worlds. Who knows? Maybe next time we’ll see Aryna taking swings on a football field because, let’s face it, life is just one big crossover episode waiting to happen. Here’s hoping Neymar finds his way onto the court soon, preferably wearing something other than his football boots. What an absolute treat that would be!
Neymar, currently sidelined as he recuperates and prepares for the Saudi championship, made a notable appearance at the inaugural day of the Women’s Masters in Riyadh, showing his support for tennis star Aryna Sabalenka.
The prestigious WTA Finals have found a new home in Riyadh after past venues in Shenzhen, Texas, and Cancun. This year’s Women’s Masters kicked off on Saturday at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, where Neymar—an avid tennis aficionado—was spotted alongside his partner Bruna Biancardi, with whom he recently welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mavie.
During the event, Neymar delighted fans by taking a moment to pose for a photo with Belarusian phenom Aryna Sabalenka. The chemistry between them was palpable, as the former Paris Saint-Germain star took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message, stating “Nice to see you, Queen” in tribute to the new world number one. Energized by Neymar’s presence, Sabalenka performed brilliantly, defeating her opponent, Chinese player Zheng Qinwen, with a commanding score of 6-3, 6-4. She is now set to face Italian Jasmine Paolini and Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina in the Violet group.
Neymar on the sidelines
“It’s cool, huh? He watched my match and it’s a pleasure to see great players come to watch me play. I was super happy to see him,” Sabalenka expressed, clearly thrilled about Neymar’s attendance after her victory. The Brazilian superstar witnessed the toss of the match, which was won by the two-time Australian Open champion (2023, 2024) against a talented young Chinese player who previously secured a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
It’s worth noting that Neymar suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee back in October 2023. Following his recovery, he made his return to competitive play with Al-Hilal on October 21 during an Asian Champions League match. However, he has yet to make an appearance in the Saudi Pro League, as he has not been registered by his club in Riyadh. Currently, the reigning champions and leaders of the Saudi championship are allowed to field eight foreign players, which includes notable names like Yassine Bounou, Kalidou Koulibaly, João Cancelo, Renan Lodi, Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
**Interview with Aryna Sabalenka on Neymar’s Support at the Women’s Masters**
**Editor:** Welcome, Aryna! Thank you for joining us. How does it feel to have a football superstar like Neymar supporting you at the Women’s Masters in Riyadh?
**Aryna Sabalenka:** Thank you for having me! It feels incredible to have someone like Neymar in the stands cheering for me. It’s always special to see great players from other sports appreciate what we do. It definitely adds an extra layer of excitement to the match!
**Editor:** You expressed your happiness after the match when you saw him. What was your reaction when you learned he would be attending?
**Aryna Sabalenka:** Initially, I was surprised! I mean, it’s Neymar! When I found out he was there, I felt really honored. I think it’s amazing that high-profile athletes support one another. It just shows that sports bring people together, no matter the game.
**Editor:** You had a fantastic match against Zheng Qinwen, winning 6-3, 6-4. Do you think Neymar’s presence contributed to your performance?
**Aryna Sabalenka:** Absolutely! Having someone like him supporting me definitely gives me a boost. Whenever I glanced over at the crowd and saw him there, it motivated me even more. It’s like having a secret weapon by your side!
**Editor:** It seems that the competition is getting tougher as you move forward in the tournament. How do you prepare for your upcoming matches against players like Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina?
**Aryna Sabalenka:** Each match is a new challenge. I focus on my game, analyze my opponents, and stay mentally strong. I aim to take it one match at a time and keep my confidence high. Plus, with Neymar in my corner now, how can I not feel empowered?
**Editor:** It’s clear that Neymar has already made quite an impact in the tennis world—on and off the court. What do you think about the crossover of sports like this?
**Aryna Sabalenka:** I love it! It’s refreshing to see athletes support each other across different sports. We’re all working hard to succeed and striving for greatness, so it’s nice to see those borders blur. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll find myself on a football field!
**Editor:** That would definitely be an interesting sight! Before we wrap up, how do you celebrate victories like these while preparing for what lies ahead in the tournament?
**Aryna Sabalenka:** After a match, it’s important to take some time to celebrate, but I also focus on recovery and keeping my mindset on the next challenge. I enjoy small moments with my team and loved ones, just as Neymar is sharing time with his family—it’s all about balance.
**Editor:** Well said, Aryna! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, and best of luck in the upcoming matches!
**Aryna Sabalenka:** Thank you! I hope to make it an unforgettable tournament!
