The 2024 season may have wrapped up for ATP and WTA stars, but excitement reigns at the World Tennis League’s third edition. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 in the WTA, leads the Hawks team with Jordan Thompson, Sumit Nagal, and her doubles partner Mirra Andreeva. Sabalenka had a fantastic season, clinching four titles including two Grand Slams at the US Open and Australian Open. Now, she’s thriving in the WTL, enjoying every moment with her teammates.

In the final, the Falcons—featuring Andrey Rublev, Elena Rybakina, Denis Shapovalov, and Caroline Garcia—faced off against the Hawks. Rybakina and Garcia were poised for victory but squandered a 5-0 lead and missed three match points, ultimately losing in a tie-break. Their early dominance crumbled as they failed to close out the match, allowing their opponents to rally back.

What happened next captured everyone’s attention. On the court, Sabalenka and Andreeva erupted in laughter. During their post-match interview, they were asked, “Tell us what’s so funny, because we’ve missed what’s been happening.” The duo struggled to contain their giggles as Sabalenka replied, “No, I’m not going to tell you what’s so funny. At some point, we just couldn’t hold it inside.” Even her coach signaled a ‘time-out’ for her to stop laughing.

What could have sparked such amusement? We may never find out. Despite the Hawks’ loss to the Falcons, who claimed the championship title of the WTL, Sabalenka is having a great time in Abu Dhabi with her fellow players. The Belarusian earlier had a hilarious encounter with her friend Paula Badosa, where the duo showcased their strong friendship despite playing against each other.

Sabalenka claims to be a ‘terrible friend’ while demanding Paula Badosa should teach her better

On Friday, the Hawks team secured a thrilling 21-14 victory over the Eagles. Paula Badosa, representing the Eagles alongside Stefanos Tsitsipas, Iga Swiatek, and Alexander Shevchenko, shared her thoughts on facing Sabalenka in the post-match interview. “It’s tricky to play against a friend so this time we had a challenge again. We are on separate teams, so I had to face her, and she crushed me. Now I just have to accept it,” she admitted.

Aryna Sabalenka chimed in with a humorous take on their friendship: “Yeah…I’m a terrible friend; I just have to say that. I was just showing off my Spanish skills, come on! It’s your fault you have to teach me better stuff than ‘p***.”

The duo has been close since meeting during an exhibition match years ago, earning the affectionate nickname “Sabadosa” from fans. They often share their affection for each other on social media and in interviews. During the 2024 Stuttgart Open, Sabalenka even admitted that Badosa is her platonic “soulmate” in a post-match press conference.

As the 2024 season wraps up and the next one approaches in just a few weeks, fans are buzzing with excitement. Will these WTA stars maintain their camaraderie while fueling their rivalry next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!