After covering Tsitsidosa throughout last year, we’re back again with Sabadosa. Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her title at Melbourne Park after a dominating performance at this year’s Australian Open. Days after that emphatic victory, she opened up about her personal life, including her friendship with the Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa. And, boy, is their camaraderie a match made in friendship heaven.

They may both have significant others in their life – Stefanos Tsitsipas for Badosa and former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov for Sabalenka. But the two WTA stars are the real “soulmates.” Ever since their first encounter at the 2021 Cincinnati Masters, they went from being rivals on the court to best friends off it. “She’s super nice with a big heart and very humble. That’s what I really like to see, players like that,” said Badosa about Sabalenka. And as for Sabalenka? She thinks the Spaniard has helped her become more emotionally mature.

During an interview with WTA Insider, the 25-year-old talked about the personal improvements she and her team have discussed recently. And despite not being part of her official team, Paula Badosa has played a huge role in Sabalenka’s recent trajectory. “I’m more open now. I’m happy I was able to build some friendships and relationships, like with Paula,” the AO champion expressed. “Before, I was so closed and so afraid to open up to people. I’m happy I have such a friend like Paula. She’s the best. I love this girl. I think we’re similar.” That’s when the interviewer remarked, “Soulmates.”

Sabalenka couldn’t help but agree, echoing, “Soulmates.” And, well, that was all it took for fans to jump on the ‘Sabadosa’ hype train and show their love for the WTA duo on X.

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Paula Badosa was the “bestie” Aryna Sabalenka was waiting for

“It doesn’t happen very often that you can find your soulmate on the circuit because we compete against each other.” In a sport as competitive as tennis, Sabalenka and Badosa found each other. But because of how close they are and the fact that they’re each dating someone, one fan remarked, “Oh, so they’re in an open relationship, I see.” Whether or not they’re in an open relationship, one thing is for sure: they’re inseparable. And that made another fan write, “Sabadosa is real.”

First claiming that they’re in an open relationship and then deeming their ship name “real?” This certainly made other fans question the status of the tennis couple that stole the limelight for most of the 2023 season. “What happened to Paula and Tsitsipas?” they joked. With the relationship comments, many were also showing their support for finding a friendship like theirs.

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Following Sabalenka’s speech after defending her AO crown, Badosa quickly tweeted, “I LOVE YOUR SPEECHES, Aryna Sabalenka, the best on & off court!” It’s safe to say there aren’t many friendships on tour like theirs. In light of this, a fan commented, “Cannot beat finding a bestie.” We sure can’t! “I love my girls 🧡” wrote another. One user echoed Sabalenka’s thoughts about her and Badosa being similar.

“Nice. The best gift world-class athletes get is the chance to meet similar yet different peers to bond with over the years,” they wrote. As most fans were focused on the pair’s friendship, one fan took the opportunity to compare Sabalenka to a WTA legend. “She really is like baby Sharapova.” Apart from spending time together off the court, they’ve also shared the court.

Teaming up for the end-of-2023 World Tennis League, Badosa expressed her admiration and affection for the 25-year-old Belarusian. It’s evident they both have a lot of mutual love and respect. Aren’t they one of the best player pairings you’ve seen recently?

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