Paula Badosa acknowledged Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur are her Tour rival but also noted that does not mean they cannot be good friends off the court. Badosa, 25, and 24-year-old Sabalenka have become friends and they have a great relationship.
Following a 6-3 6-1 win over Mayar Sherif in the Charleston first round, Badosa was asked about her friendship with Sabalenka. “Fun times. I mean, we see each other throughout the year. Of course, we are rivals but at the same time, we share a lot of moments.
Azarenka as well, even Elena Rybakina, so it’s nice to have all these top players, amazing players between us and of course, we have that rivalry but at the same time we can call us friends,” Badosa said, per Sportskeeda.
Badosa happy for Sabalenka’s success
At the start of the 2023 season, 24-year-old Sabalenka became a Grand Slam champion after winning the Australian Open. In the Australian Open final, Sabalenka recovered from a set down to beat Elena Rybakina and win her first Major.
When asked about Sabalenka’s Australian Open win, Badosa said the Belarusian deserved that success and added that she was happy for her good friend. “As she always says, we’re soulmates. I think we’re very similar personalities and I admire her a lot.
She’s a fighter and she’s been through a lot — tough moments — and she’s always fighting, no matter what. We all remember how she started last year in Australia with the serve and she tried and she tried and she never gave up, and she had an amazing reward .I know for her it was very important and it’s a dream come true.
And I was very happy because we’re very close and we’re living, like, the same journey together. I think that she totally deserves it,” Badosa told Arab News.
