Aryna Sabalenka discloses her special agreement with ‘girlfriend’ Paula Badosa every time they come up against each other at tournaments

Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa are known to be great friends off the court.

Aryna Sabalenka discloses her special agreement with ‘girlfriend’ Paula Badosa every time they come up against each other at tournaments

Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka pose for a picture ahead of their matchup. (Credits: Open Source)

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka might not have many friends in the sport but has certainly gathered someone who has supported her through thick and thin in the last few years. Both Sabalenka and Paula Badosa are great friends and it is not a secret in the tennis world that they enjoy each other’s company a lot. Whenever they are not on tours, they are seen enjoying their holidays along with one another.

In a recent interview with Tennis Magazine, Sabalenka was in great honor of her friend crediting Badosa for getting the best out of her all this time. She also shared a funny idea that they both use when they are on course to face each other on tours. Sabalenka said that they both made a deal about their attitude during their matchups, thereby pushing each other to not go lightly against one another during the battles.

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Sabalenka said,“We have already faced each other several times and we have talked about it. We agreed to continue to encourage each other, as we always do. Usually, when we play against each other, we act like we’re not friends, but because of our agreement, neither of us has to get angry or celebrate a good point.”

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She continued,”There are times during the match where we think too much, times where I want to scream, but I know I shouldn’t because she’s my girlfriend, I don’t want her to start angry with me.” (H/T: welovetennis.fr)

Also Read: Maria Sharapova breaks the hearts of fans by admitting to not missing the sport as she attends the opening day of the US Open 2023

How has Aryna Sabalenka fared against Paula Badosa in the past?

Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa have shared the court on numerous occasions, thereby entertaining the crowd with their enthralling tennis. The two friends first faced each other at the 2021 Cincinnati Masters, where Badosa triumphed over the Belarusian. In a thrilling three-set contest, Badosa won the match eventually with a scoreline of 5-7, 6-2, 7-6.

Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa share a moment together ahead of their training session. (credits: Tennis365)

At their meeting on the ATP Finals stage, Sabalenka yet again saw defeat in the hands of her friend, this time losing on straight sets by 6-4, 6-0. Their next two meetings came at the Stuttgart Open in the consecutive years. In the 2022 season, Sabalenka won the match by a scoreline of 7-6, 6-4 and in this year’s meeting, Sabalenka had to battle it out in what was a three-set contest, eventually winning it by 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

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