The 2026 tennis season is off to a sizzling start, and Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka are at the heart of it. The unbeatable “Sabadosa” duo is back, rekindling their electric chemistry on court. Now, reuniting in doubles for the first time since 2022, they’ve chosen the Brisbane International as their stage.

Their friendship sparked in early 2022 at the Tie Break Tens event in Indian Wells, where the two power hitters clicked instantly, sharing the same fierce spirit and playful energy. Since then, they’ve called each other “best friend” and “soulmate,” even when their careers led to fiery showdowns.

So, the comeback felt effortless. On Sunday, the pair surged past Liudmila Samsonova and Zhang Shuai 7-6(2), 7-6(3) to storm into the quarterfinals. It’s the ideal tune-up ahead of the Australian Open. Paula beamed after the win, delighted to have Aryna by her side again. With “Sabadosa” back in action, the duo looks ready to set the season ablaze.

“I asked her to play here because, for me,” she said in their post-match interview, “It was an amazing opportunity to share some moments with her on and off the court. So it’s great, and we love to play in front of you guys. And as Aryna always says, she loves the atmosphere.”

Amid laughter, Aryna Sabalenka echoed her doubles partner’s feelings. “The atmosphere is amazing, thank you!” she grinned. Badosa sealed the moment with a confirmatory statement: “Just the last thing, Sabadosa is back.”

Fans have long adored the iconic Sabadosa duo. What began as fierce battles in 2021 (from Cincinnati to the WTA Finals) evolved into one of the tour’s most beloved friendships. Their mix of power, charisma, and humor has made them a must-watch every time they step on court.

The pair also teamed up in doubles throughout 2022, including a memorable run that ended in a first-round loss to Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula at the Madrid Open. Aryna Sabalenka’s doubles resume speaks for itself: a former doubles world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner, she claimed the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open titles with Elise Mertens.

Now at the Brisbane International, Paula and Aryna are gearing up for their next match against Ellen Perez and CristinaBucșa. In the meantime, they’ll also compete at the singles side. Looks like their looking to squeeze in as many matches as possible before jetting off to Melbourne for the season’s first Grand Slam.

Sabalenka, the reigning world No. 1, reached the Australian Open final last year, and Badosa, currently ranked No. 25, is defending her semifinal points and poised to make a statement early in the season. But is Sabalenka eyeing revenge this year?

Aryna Sabalenka reveals her aim ahead of the Australian Open

On Saturday at her pre-tournament press conference ahead of the Brisbane International, the World No. 1 was asked about the possibility of facing Madison Keys again at the upcoming Australian Open. Last year’s sting is still fresh in memory, when Keys ended Sabalenka’s dream of a three-peat in Melbourne with a fierce three-set upset. But Sabalenka isn’t chasing payback this time.

“It doesn’t matter which tournament it is,” she said with a shrug. “If I’m defending champion, if I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same — to bring my best tennis and to improve my game.”

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Twelve months ago, Sabalenka marched into the 2025 Australian Open as the two-time defending champion and looked unstoppable. She powered into the final for a third straight year, dropping only one set on the way with her trademark explosive hitting lighting up Rod Laver Arena. Yet on the final night, Madison Keys flipped the script, toppling her 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 and halting what could have been a slice of history.

Rather than carrying frustration into 2026, Sabalenka is choosing calm over revenge. “Honestly, that’s it. I always just focus on myself, on developing my game, and making sure that I’m 100 percent there,” she said with a smile.

Aryna Sabalenka had a rough end to 2025 with the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ loss to Nick Kyrgios and the criticism the event received. However, now it’s time for a new season and time for her and Paula Badosa to see their doubles campaign through together!