During a recent press conference, Spanish WTA star Paula Badosa opened up about the emotional challenge of competing against her best friend and fellow WTA player, Aryna Sabalenka. Badosa’s candid remarks shed light on the complexities of maintaining friendship amidst on-court rivalry.
When asked about her feelings regarding the match against Sabalenka, Badosa expressed discomfort, stating, “Well, I wouldn’t call it ‘special’ because it wasn’t very comfortable to play my best friend in this situation.” Her honesty underscores the inherent difficulty of competing against someone with whom she shares a close bond.
Despite the competitive nature of their match, Badosa remained steadfast in her support for Sabalenka. She praised Sabalenka’s strength and resilience, both on and off the court, highlighting her friend’s strong personality and unwavering determination. “No, I wasn’t surprised at all. As I said, she’s a very, very strong woman, strong personality. You can see it on the court,” Badosa remarked.
Acknowledging Sabalenka’s prowess as a player, Badosa wished her friend the best of luck in the tournament, expressing hope for her success. “Especially I know her off court. It doesn’t surprise me at all. I knew she was going to play very well or like normal. I told her I wish her the best. Let’s see if she can go very deep in this tournament,” Badosa said.
Badosa’s unwavering support for Sabalenka and her willingness to acknowledge her friend’s strengths exemplify the depth of their friendship. Despite the inherent challenges of competing against each other, Badosa’s words reflect mutual respect and admiration between the two players.
Fans were moved by Badosa’s heartfelt sentiments, appreciating her ability to balance competitive spirit with genuine friendship. In the world of professional tennis, where rivalries often dominate headlines, Badosa and Sabalenka’s bond serves as a reminder of the camaraderie that exists within the sport.
Paula Badosa’s remarks not only highlight the complexities of navigating friendships in the competitive realm of tennis but also showcase the power of sportsmanship and mutual support among athletes. As they continue their respective journeys on the WTA tour, Badosa and Sabalenka’s friendship remains a beacon of positivity for fans and players alike.
Paula Badosa in 2024
LLWWWLWWWW At the moment ranked no.80, the Spaniard played her last match on the 22nd of March when she capitulated to world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 6-3 in the 2nd round in Miami (draw).
Until now, during this year Badosa achieved an overall 5-6 match record.
Sabalenka in Miami, ranking, and results in 2024
LLWWWWWWWL Currently the world no.2, Sabalenka has managed to achieve a 14-3 win-loss record in 2024. The Belarussian is participating in Miami where she toppled the world no.80 Paula Badosa Gibert 6-4 6-3.
Aryna Sabalenka will compete against the world no.36 Anhelina Kalinina in the 3rd round on Saturday at 8:30 pm on STADIUM. In the past, they have never competed against each other so far in top tournaments.
Sabalenka clinched 1 title in 2024 at the Australian Open. Aryna got to the final in Brisbane (Brisbane International).
Aryna won 14 titles in her career: 10 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka squared off 5 times. Their actual head to head record is 3-2 for Sabalenka. The last time they fought against each other, Aryna Sabalenka won 6-4 6-3 in the 2nd round in Miami (Miami Open) on the 22nd of March 2024.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka |
| Embed from Getty Images |
