The tennis world has applauded reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka after she was seen consoling best friend Paula Badosa following their semi-final match.
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Badosa, who came back from a career-threatening back injury just to make the last four at Melbourne Park, led early but was then outplayed by the two-time champion on route to a 6-4 6-2 loss.
The Spaniard was then seen upset in the player training area following the match, understandably emotional over the result.
But Sabalenka, who has been Badosa’s best friend on tour for several years, was seen consoling the No.11 seed with the pair smiling and laughing.
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The Belarusian spoke about their friendship on court after the match.
“After a couple of battles against each other we spoke and we decided to, you know, put it aside. We’re here. She wants it badly. We both want it badly. It’s our dream. Here we were opponents,” Sabalenka said.
“No matter (what happens) on the court we’ll be friends after our matches. It’s tough to do. We agreed on that.
“I think we’re doing it pretty well. I don’t know. I hope she’s still my friend. I mean, I’m sure she’ll hate me for the next, I don’t know, hour or day or two. I can handle that. After that I think we’re back to being friends. Back to going out together, shopping. I don’t know what else.”
Jelena Dokic quipped in response: “You might have to pay that bill though for the shopping now.”
Sabalenka responded: “I promise Paula, we’ll go shopping and I’ll pay for whatever she wants,” but later joked “I’m gonna put a limit for her because she can go crazy!”
Speaking in her press conference, Badosa said she jokingly told Sabalenka “that it was really unfair for me that she played this level today.
“I was expecting, of course, a good level, but maybe not that much. But no, she came, like, to say that she played three semifinals before she won a title. She was very proud of my improvement lately, especially with all I’ve been through.
“So, yeah, we were just joking around. I’m really happy that, look, if I have to lose against somebody, of course I want to lose against world No. 1 and against Aryna, and I wish her the best.” ️
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