Aryna Sabalenka Shares Sympathy for Good Friend Paula Badosa on her Constant Battles with Injuries
Paula Badosa has struggled with a back injury for the past two years on tour.
Follow Us
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa (via X)
🔍 Explore this post with:
Aryna Sabalenka has shown support for her friend Paula Badosa, who has endured a rough spell with injuries in the past few months. Badosa’s injury problems forced her to withdraw from several tournaments last year, including the US Open. But she will be back on the court at the Brisbane International, which kicks off on January 4.
Sabalenka and Badosa’s friendship has sparked a glorious relationship on the WTA Tour, regularly supporting each other in their quest to win titles and spending a good time together off the court. Fans have nicknamed their relationship “Sabadosa” because of their genuine friendship on tour.
However, Badosa gained a career-high of World No. 2 back in 2022 after enjoying some deep runs in major tournaments. Her progress deeply impacted her 2023 as she missed a massive chunk of the year due to a back injury. She did well to have an excellent comeback in 2024, winning her first title in almost a year at the Citi Open.
She was hoping to continue with form in 2025, which she did, cropping up once more, with a very impressive start to the season, and was bound to return to her best form before a back injury forced her back to the sidelines. The Spaniard was forced to withdraw from several tournaments, including the Citi Open.
However, she returned to the court ahead of the 2026 season, featuring at the World Tennis Continental Cup. During Sabalenka’s press conference in Brisbane, the Belarusian star praised Badosa’s fighting spirit despite injury setbacks and then noted that she has tried to give her the best advice:
She’s a fighter. Badosa is back, so we’ll have a great time on the court. It was tough for me to see her suffer; I’m always there for her. We talk a lot. I tried to give her my best advice, I was there for whatever she needed. I know she will return to her level. I just want to make sure her body is protected and strong to go for it.
Badosa and Sabalenka will kick off their doubles campaign at the Brisbane International on Sunday (January 4). They will face Zhang Shuai and Liudmila Samsonova in the round of 16 of the tournament. They will hope to win the doubles title, but they will be more focused on their singles match. Sabalenka is the defending champion of the event, while Badosa has a potential clash against Elena Rybakina in the round of 16.
Aryna Sabalenka focused on winning the Brisbane International
Aryna Sabalenka will be heading into the Brisbane International without defending a title. The last time she defended a title was at the 2025 US Open in September. She failed to defend the Wuhan Open, having crashed out in the semi-finals after losing in three sets to American star Jessica Pegula.
During the aforementioned press conference, Sabalenka was asked if she was arriving at the tournament with confidence. The World No.1 noted that she’s only focused on winning the Brisbane International:
Honestly, there’s no difference. Whether I’m the defending champion or lost in the first round the previous year, my goal remains the same: bring out my best tennis and improve my game. That’s how I approach it. I always focus on myself, on developing my game, and ensuring I’m there at 100%.
Sabalenka is projected to open her campaign in Brisbane against Cristina Bucsa in the second round after earning a first-round bye. She will likely meet former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko before a possible rematch of the 2025 Australian Open final against Madison Keys in the quarter-finals. Should she reach the semi-finals, she might face Elena Rybakina for a place in the final.
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)