In today’s competitive world of sport, friendships are hard to come by among the players. With very little margin between winning and losing, the rivalries are more intense. However, an interesting bond has been brewing in women’s tennis as the trio of Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa, and Ons Jabeur have displayed great camaraderie among them. Earlier today, Aryna Sabalenka took a hilarious dig at Ons Jabeur while wishing Paula Badosa on her special day.

The Spanish beauty celebrates her 27th birthday and Sabalenka and Jabeur were among the first ones to wish her. However, there was an interesting turn to their birthday wishes. Earlier, Jabeur took to her official Instagram handle and shared a video of Badosa revealing her new best friend. The Spanish beauty could be heard saying, “I’m sorry Aryna but have a new best friend, it’s Ons.” Further, Jabeur wrote, “Happy birthday BEST BEST friend @paulabadosa, I am sorry not sorry @arynasabalenka.”

However, Sabalenka took a cheeky dig at Jabeur while wishing Badosa on her special day. She wrote on her Instagram story, “Happy birthday to this beauty #mysoulmate. @onsjabeur, You can just be her BEST friend.” With this, Sabalenka made it very clear who loved Badosa more among them, albeit hilariously.

Despite this hilarious exchange, the trio have had an adorable bonding on and off the court. They have even practiced together on numerous occasions. Interestingly, Sabalenka often uses the word ‘soulmate’ to describe her relationship with Badosa. The Belarusian star once revealed how she found a soulmate in Badosa.

Aryna Sabalenka on her friendship with Paula Badosa: ‘She is an incredible person’

Although Badosa and Sabalenka have played against each other several times, seven to be precise, the bond between them has kept growing. It reached the peak when Sabalenka and Badosa were seen training together at the US Open and Sabalenka made a heartfelt confession about her relationship with the Spanish beauty.

Earlier this year, Sabalenka said, “I love Paula [Badosa] very much. We have been friends for three or four years. She is an incredible person. It is very important to have friends on the circuit, so when you find someone who you feel is your soulmate, it is the best thing that can happen to you.”

Moreover, Jabeur also became a part of the group subsequently as she developed a similar connection with her fellow players. The Tunisian once revealed, “I love both, obviously. I think Aryna and Paula have the connection, of the fashion: ‘I wore this, I wore that, I bought this new purse,’ and I go to the real thing. ‘What do you need? Let’s go have dinner!'”

In these competitive times when such bonds are rare to see, it is heartening how the trio bonds over such memorable moments. Do you remember such adorable bond among tennis stars in the past? Let us know your views in the comments below.