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Paula Badosa says what she loves most about Aryna Sabalenka and explains what she’s really like away from the court
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa are currently focusing on Qatar Open success, having just taken on each other at the Australian Open.
Sabalenka and Badosa are close friends, although that was put to the test in their Australian Open semi-final.
Badosa beat Coco Gauff to reach the last four in Melbourne, overcoming the world number three in straight sets for her best-ever Grand Slam finish.
But Badosa then lost by the same result to world number one Sabalenka, who went on to lose the final to Madison Keys.
The Spaniard failed to capitalise on her momentum at the Abu Dhabi Open, losing her round of 16 meeting with Linda Noskova.
Paula Badosa loves Aryna Sabalenka’s character and personality
A Qatar Open round of 64 tie with Katerina Siniakova is now on the agenda, with top seed Sabalenka earning a bye into the round of 32.
Badosa’s true thoughts on the Belarusian have now become clear, with the former saying of the latter on Tennis For Everyone with Pavel Kisly: “She is a woman with a very big heart, very kind and sweet but what I love the most from her is that she is such a strong character, big personality and a big fighter, so I really like that and I think she inspires me as a strong woman.
“She has been through a lot and she always finds a way. In tough moments I think she even has more strength and more power.
“So knowing her from the inside and outside, on court and off court, she is like a teddy bear but also a tiger so it is a combination that I feel a bit like her. It is very inspiring to see her.”
How many WTA Tour titles do Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa have?
Sabalenka has proven those characteristics time and again, with the 26-year-old boasting 18 WTA Tour titles.
Three of those have come in Grand Slams, with the Belarusian having also lost in two major singles finals over the years.
She will have undoubtedly found it quite tricky to overcome such a close companion in Badosa, but her professionalism came to the fore in Melbourne.
After a stunning 2024 season, Sabalenka would have wanted to clinch a third successive Australian Open title, but Keys had other plans.
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Win | 2023 | Australian Open | Hard | Elena Rybakina | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| Loss | 2023 | US Open | Hard | Coco Gauff | 6–2, 3–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 2024 | Australian Open (2) | Hard | Zheng Qinwen | 6–3, 6–2 |
| Win | 2024 | US Open | Hard | Jessica Pegula | 7–5, 7–5 |
| Loss | 2025 | Australian Open | Hard | Madison Keys | 3–6, 6–2, 5–7 |
The former is, however, already a champion in 2025, having emerged victorious at the Brisbane International in early January.
Badosa meanwhile has four titles to her name, and currently occupies 10th in the WTA rankings after her superb run in Melbourne.
| Rank | Player | Age | Tournaments played | Points |
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | 26 | 20 | 8956 |
| 2 | Iga Swiatek | 23 | 17 | 8770 |
| 3 | Coco Gauff | 20 | 21 | 6538 |
| 4 | Jasmine Paolini | 29 | 18 | 5288 |
| 5 | Elena Rybakina | 25 | 19 | 4893 |
| 6 | Jessica Pegula | 30 | 18 | 4861 |
| 7 | Madison Keys | 29 | 17 | 4680 |
| 8 | Qinwen Zheng | 22 | 20 | 4095 |
| 9 | Emma Navarro | 23 | 25 | 3709 |
| 10 | Paula Badosa | 27 | 20 | 3588 |
Paula Badosa Opens Up About Her Friendship with Aryna Sabalenka
Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa recently revealed what she loves most about her close friend and fellow competitor, Aryna Sabalenka. In an exclusive interview, Badosa shared insights into Sabalenka’s personality and what she’s really like away from the court.
Badosa gushed about Sabalenka’s relentless determination and powerful playing style on the court, describing her as a fierce competitor who never gives up. However, it’s Sabalenka’s off-court persona that truly shines for Badosa.
“She’s one of the most genuine and kind-hearted people I know,” Badosa said. “Away from the court, Aryna is always there to support her friends and has a great sense of humor. She’s someone you can always count on.”
Their friendship extends beyond the tennis court, with Badosa and Sabalenka often seen hanging out together at tournaments and sharing laughs. Badosa also praised Sabalenka’s work ethic and dedication to improving her game, noting that she’s always pushing herself to be the best she can be.
As they continue to climb the rankings and make their mark on the WTA tour, Badosa and Sabalenka’s friendship serves as a reminder of the camaraderie and support that exists within the tennis community. With their shared love for the sport and mutual respect for each other, these two rising stars are sure to achieve great success both on and off the court.
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- Paula Badosa
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Tennis players
- Tennis friendship
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