It was all business on a cool Melbourne evening when Aryna Sabelenka put her friendship aside with Paula Badosa to record her third consecutive Australian Open final. Both players, having exhibited their immense love for each other so far as calling each other “soulmates”, locked horns for a place in the event’s summit clash on Thursday, January 23. Though this wasn’t the first time the duo clashed on the tour, it was easily the most high-profile in Melbourne. Despite showcasing laudable athletic finesse against the Belarusian, Badosa couldn’t brush past her best friend’s challenge in the semifinals. Sabalenka later offered her supportive side!

Sabalenka outclassed the Spaniard in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, to record her 20th straight match-winning streak at the Melbourne Major – a feat that hasn’t happened in this century. The last person to achieve the three-peat was Martina Hingis in 1999, whose record was followed by the likes of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. However, Badosa wasn’t all smiles after the heartbreaking defeat at the Rod Laver Arena, and that’s when her close friend Sabalenka stepped in.

Seeing as the 27-year-old was inconsolable after her maiden major final run came to ruins, the Belarusian found it best to comfort her. In a clip released on social media, Sabalenka was seen walking towards the Spanish sensation to console her as she buried her head in distress at Melbourne Park. For those unaware, Badosa shocked the third seed Coco Gauff en route to her semifinal clash against the World No. 1 on Thursday.

Despite the result, Sabalenka hopes that she can maintain her bond with the former World No. 2, with a hilarious bribe even so.

Aryna Sabalenka promises to take best friend Paula Badosa for a shopping date following the Australian Open final seat

It is never easy to swallow a tough loss and, it’s even tougher to do so when a player is just a match away from reaching their maiden summit clash of a Grand Slam. Spaniard Paula Badosa endured something similar after getting wiped out at the hands of her best friend Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open. However, the Belarusian superstar hopes that the results of this match don’t affect the close-knit bond they’ve curated over the years.

During an on-court interview, Sabalenka expressed feeling happy seeing her “soulmate” perform to her level best and even promised to pay for whatever she wants when the two go for their next shopping date. “I think after a couple of battles against each other we’ve spoken and we’ve decided to put it aside. We’re here, she wanted it badly, we both wanted it badly. It’s our dream. We know no matter what happens on the court we’re going to be friends.”

Sabalenka and Badosa have faced each other eight times previously, with Sabalenka winning six of those encounters. The pair’s adorable bond has grown over the years, with both players constantly hyping each other on the tour and even donning matching outfits during their US Open campaign in 2024. “I hope she’s still my friend, I’m sure she’ll hate me for the next hour or day or two. I’m OK with that, I can handle that. I would love to go shopping together soon, and I promise to pay for anything she wants,” she added.

Next up, Sabalenka will lock horns with the winner of semifinal contestants Polish Iga Swiatek or American Madison Keys for the Melbourne title on Saturday, January 25.