“I’m Stupid”: Belarusian Tennis Beauty Aryna Sabalenka Discloses True Feeling after Thumping WTA Bestie at Stuttgart Open 2023

Tennis, being an individual sport, doesn’t foster a conducive environment for rivals on the court to become friends, even after stepping off the pressure cooker arena. The sports world has seen the rivalry between players boil over in recent years, with many players criticizing their opponents. However, over the years, some renowned names in the tennis realm have broken this stereotype. Both Evert-Navratilova and Federer-Nadal rivalries are two of the best the sport has ever seen. However, off the court, the legendary players have remained not only on cordial terms but as best friends. The latest addition to these rival-turned-best friends storyline in tennis is that of Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa.

The WTA stars have formed a deep friendship while competing against each other on the WTA Tour. Their friendship was on display during their match at the 2023 Stuttgart Open, where the Belarusian emerged victorious. After the match, Sabalenka revealed her mixed emotions about playing against her close friend. She admitted that she had to hold back from cheering too loudly. Sabalenka feared being “stupid” on the court. The two athletes have faced each other on multiple occasions, but their bond off the court has remained strong.

Aryna Sabalenka shares a special bond with her rival and close friend Paula Badosa

Despite the fierce nature of the match, the two friends maintained a respectful and friendly demeanor throughout. Sabalenka even gestured to Badosa to join her in a dance during a changeover. After the match, Sabalenka spoke to the media about her feelings while playing against her friend. Fans were happy to catch the interaction on Twitter.

In an era where rivalries and drama dominate the headlines, Sabalenka and Badosa’s friendship is a refreshing reminder of the importance of mutual respect and support on the WTA Tour. Their bond shows that it’s possible to be competitive on the court while maintaining a healthy and respectful relationship off the court.

The Belarusian revealed that there were moments during the match when she wanted to scream and pump her fists in celebration. However, she held back because she didn’t want to appear disrespectful to her friend. Their friendship has continued to grow stronger since then, with the two athletes often sharing their experiences on social media.

Sabalenka said, “There were some moments on the court where I was about to scream ‘come on,’ then I was like ‘I don’t know, should I or not. She’s my friend, she’ll be thinking I’m stupid.”

At the recent Porsche Tennis Grand Prix quarterfinals, Badosa had taken a one-set lead. The Spaniard was leading Sabalenka by 4-2. Despite initially trailing, the current Australian Open champion fought back and defeated her friend for the second year in a row at Stuttgart. She won the quarterfinal match 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

READ MORE- Spanish Tennis Beauty Paula Badosa Minces No Words to Defend Belarusian Best Friend Amid Growing Hate

Badosa shares a unique relationship with her friend Sabalenka

The Spanish tennis star has had a remarkable rise on the circuit, however, she has not yet won a tournament this year. In the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open, she competed against her best friend, Sabalenka. During the pre-match press conference, Badosa spoke about her friendship with the Belarusian and praised Sabalenka for winning the Adelaide International and the Australian Open titles.

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Badosa acknowledged that every time they play against each other, it is a tough battle. The Spanish star also discussed how she balances her friendship and rivalry with her opponents on the court. She stated that she has a good relationship with many players, but when they compete, they put their friendship aside. She believes that in the heat of the moment, they are very competitive, and they are not friends. However, as soon as the last ball is played, they quickly return to being friends.

What do you think about her rivalry with Sabalenka? Let us know in the comments below.