Miami Open: How Did Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa End up Being ‘Soulmates’?

Making friends on the tour can be extremely difficult for a tennis player. Since they are often on the move, sticking around the same people for long can be difficult. The problem increases as they often have to face their friends in court. Despite the problems, Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa have found a way to develop a great bond with each other. 

Both players have been friends for a long time, and their friendship came to the limelight. Throughout last year, we saw several of their interactions online, and they even came to call each other soulmates.

How it started 

The bond between the two WTA stars as friends started while they were competing against each other in an exhibition match. They had a small conversation, and the bond developed from there. Badosa recalled the formation of their bond on the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast.

She said, “It was a few years ago, we played an exhibition. And we started to chat. And we realized that we were very, we had very similar personalities and we get along very well, and that we’re both very, very competitive, but at the same time, we know how to separate things, you know.” 

Since then, it has been smooth sailing for both players, even though they have faced each other four times on the court. They have even gone on to call each other soulmates, and Sabalenka has stated how Badosa helped her open up.

The bond between Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka

As their friendship bloomed over the years, Sabalenka also talked about how much she adores her friendship with Badosa, as the Spamiard helped her open up and become more comfortable with the world around her in general. 

In an interview at the start of the year, Sabalenka said, “I’m more open now. I’m happy I was able to build some friendships and relationships, like with Paula. 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.”

As the interviewer remarked, ‘Soulmates,’ Saba quickly agreed to it, signifying that the two were soulmates. Navigating a close bond while on tour can be difficult, but Sabalenka and Badosa have managed it. 

In an interview with Punto De Break, Saba revealed, “It is very difficult. It doesn’t happen very often that you can find your soulmate on the circuit because we compete against each other. But we had this deal: on the court, we are opponents, we can shout whatever we want, but off the court, we are friends again.”

Both players have managed to find a bond which is not often developed by tennis players. At the moment, Saba needs to be surrounded by those close to her as well. While the pain of bereavement is too deep a feeling, being surrounded by close friends can be of great help, and Saba is in dire need of it.

Read More – Paula Badosa Counts Her Blessings in an Emotional Message Over Bond With Aryna Sabalenka