With whom do professional tennis players spend the majority of their time while on tour? Some might think it’s their coaches or teams, but often, it’s the very rivals they play against on the court. The camaraderie between Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa, two highly competitive players from different parts of the globe, serves as a prime example of the remarkable friendships in women’s tennis. Their companionship has captivated the professional tennis world for quite some time. And their rivalry reached new heights when they clashed in the recently concluded Australian Open semifinals. However, the Belarusian emerged victorious, dashing the Spaniards’ GS dreams. But, the No. 1 ranked has now made an unexpected gesture off the field, one that may help her earn back something far more valuable than winning a match: Badosa’s forgiveness.

Friends and rivals, Sabalenka and Badosa, went head-to-head for the 8th time in their careers in the recently concluded AO semifinals. Adding to the intrigue, both dropped just one set on their road to the SF, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash. With history on the line, the top seed, chasing a rare three-peat in the Melbourne Major, proved unstoppable, delivering a dominant 6-4, 6-2 victory to secure her third consecutive Happy Slam final. Badosa, despite her valiant efforts, couldn’t withstand the barrage of 32 winners and 21 unforced errors from the Belarusian, ultimately bowing out of the GS. Yet, their battle didn’t end on the court. Right after the match, the duo exchanged a heartwarming show of companionship from the Belarusian in the post-match interview.

Right after the SF clash, Sabalenka said, “We both want it badly. It’s our dream. But here, we’re just opponents, no matter what happens on and off the court. We are going to be friends after our matches. It’s tough to do, but we agreed on that. We’re doing it pretty well. I hope she’s still my friend. I’m sure she’ll hate me for the next hour, day or two, but I’m okay with that, I can handle that. After that I think we are back to being friends, back to go out together and go shopping. I promise, Paula, we’ll go shopping and I’ll pay for whatever you want,”. And thereafter, Badosa jokingly added at her post-match press conference, “Something really expensive because now I think she has doubled the prize money. So I think she won’t have a problem for that. I will think about it,”. Well, Sabalenka seems to have been forgiven now.

The WTA season continues in Qatar with the year’s first Masters 1000 showdown from tomorrow. But before the Spaniard stepped onto the court for her Round of 64 clash against Katerina Siniaková, a heartwarming moment unfolded off the court. Sabalenka, staying true to her word, finally delivered the precious gift she had promised Badosa back to the AO. The Belarusian ace shared a quick clip on her IG story, capturing the special exchange while she gave a hand bracelet to Paula, captioning, “She said she forgave me 😂.” What a gesture of friendship that goes beyond the game!

However, this is not the first time this friendship has got the much-expected limelight.

Sabadosa is a rivalry that feels like a bond between soulmates

The relation between these two heavyweights is no recent spectacle, as it has been a recurring highlight since Indian Wells 2022. From time to time, Sabalenka and Badosa have showcased their friendship, both on and off the court, capturing the hearts of tennis fans worldwide. However, one of the most touching moments came from the Belarusian herself ahead of their R16 clash at the 2024 Stuttgart Open. Despite a match poised to continue their thrilling rivalry, Badosa’s withdrawal after one-all in the 2nd set meant Sabalenka went through. However, Sabalenka’s heartfelt words after that truly defined their unique bond.

“I love Paula very much. She is an incredible person. It is very important to have friends on the circuit, so when you find someone who you feel is your soulmate, it is the best thing that can happen to you,” the Belarusian said. That’s not all from the duo. Both of them even wore matching outfits during the US Open last year. And, in March 2024, during the “Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast,” it was Badosa’s turn to open up about their friendship.

“We realized that we had very similar personalities and we get along very well, and that we’re both very, very competitive. It’s very nice for me having a friend on tour because it’s very tough to find,” the Spaniard said.

As both tennis heavyweights are set to compete in the upcoming Qatar Open, can this be the moment Paula finally turns the tables on Sabalenka in terms of their rivalry on the court?