“I love this girl. I think we’re similar,” Aryna Sabalenka said of Paula Badosa in an interview earlier this year. The former World No. 2, Badosa, knows of their similarities too! But the question is: to what extent? Both finished the Cincinnati Masters tournament a few days ago, where Sabalenka lifted the trophy. Perhaps now it’s time for some fun social media banter, and the “soulmates” certainly know how to!

The 2024 season is approaching its last grand slam of the year in the US, and the players are preparing for the same. However, amid the intensely competitive arena, Badosa and Sabalenka are enjoying their friendly rapport on Instagram! The Spaniard recently shared an amusing video highlighting Sabalenka unintentionally mirroring her signature victory pose during a media interaction.

The clip, which has garnered significant attention, revealed an instance during the Belarusian player’s autograph session after her match in the US Open where she smiled and posed a victory sign. Just a few seconds later in the video, we see Badosa posing the same way to the media while walking! As it caught the 26-year-old player’s attention, she posted the video on Instagram, captioning, “Can you stop copying me? 😂✌️” Sabalenka did not leave the opportunity to have her share of fun either, as she reposted the video, saying, “How can I? 😂😂😂”

Their ability to poke fun at themselves and find humor in everyday moments makes them even more endearing to supporters. Their camaraderie extends beyond the courts of tennis now. However, it all started when they were competing against each other in an exhibition match. A small conversation is what it took for them to realize how they could be great friends in the future.

Talking about in the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast, Badosa once recalled, “..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.”

Despite facing off seven times on-court, with Sabalenka leading 5-2, their friendship remains unscathed. Moreover, as per Aryna Sabalenka, Badosa has taught her how to be more ‘open.’ “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,” the world no. 2 once said in an interview. Besides, Sabalenka is also aware of how rare it is to find a friend on the tour, as she herself confessed earlier.

Aryna Sabalenka’s special shoutout to her BFF, Paula Badosa!

Aryna Sabalenka knows how nurturing a friendship while on tour is ‘difficult.’ However, the Australian Open champion, said, “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.”

Furthermore, their appreciation for each other speaks volumes of their friendship too and we saw it after Sabalenka’s Cincinnati Masters victory! Badosa could hardly contain her excitement when Sabalenka posted an Instagram picture with the trophy. She celebrated this victory by sending her several emojis depicting her love for Sabalenka in the comment section of the post.

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Sabalenka often appreciates the support that she gets from Badosa and once said, “She is very nice girl and having her by my side is very important to me.” Badosa and Sabalenka’s friendship is a testament to the power of sportsmanship, leaving fans eager to witness their future encounters on and off the court!