Aryna Sabalenka shared a photo on her Instagram account featuring her close friend Paula Badosa and playfully asked her followers to compare their abs and determine if they resemble each other. The 25-year-old Sabalenka and 26-year-old Badosa have maintained a strong bond for a significant period of time and frequently express their admiration for their friendship. In a previous Instagram post, Sabalenka uploaded a picture alongside Badosa with the caption: “Adore this girl ❤️ #kindredspirits.”
Recently, Sabalenka once again acknowledged her friendship with Badosa by sharing a selfie taken during their training session. She posed two questions to her followers: “Whose abs do you think are superior?” and humorously added, “I believe definitely @paulabadosa 😂.” Furthermore, Sabalenka inquired whether they perceive a resemblance between herself and Badosa.
On the professional tennis tour, it is uncommon to witness such close friendships due to the intense competition and rivalries among players vying for titles. Sabalenka acknowledged this challenge in October and emphasized that she and Badosa have managed to navigate this dynamic by ensuring that their on-court battles do not affect their off-court friendship.
“It is a rare occurrence to find your soulmate in this competitive environment where we constantly face each other on the court,” Sabalenka explained in a late 2023 interview. “However, we made a pact: while competing, we can express ourselves freely, but once we step off the court, we resume our friendship.” Sabalenka expressed her gratitude for having Badosa by her side, describing her as a kind-hearted individual whose presence holds great significance in her life.
Meanwhile, Badosa made the decision to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi Open this week, while Sabalenka is currently enjoying a break following her victory at the Australian Open. Initially, Sabalenka had planned to return to action in Doha next week, but she ultimately opted out of the tournament. It is expected that Sabalenka will resume her competitive schedule in Dubai towards the end of February.