Aryna Sabalenka bantered with Paula Badosa after both sported the same Nike outfit at the 2024 US Open practice session. Both players have advanced to the third round at the final Grand Slam of the year.
The Belarusian ousted Priscilla Hon in the first round and Lucia Bronzetti in the second round to secure a spot in the US Open third round. On the other hand, Paula Badosa defeated Viktorija Golubic and Taylor Townsend in the first and second rounds, respectively. Sabalenka and Badosa’s friendship has flourished over the years and both are often spotted on each other’s social media posts.
In a recent Instagram post, a video montage featured the tennis icons sporting the same red-and-black sportswear but in different settings at the 2024 US Open. Badosa jokingly called out the Belarusian for always ‘copying’ her.
“Can you stop copying me all the time?” the four-time WTA Tour singles titlist wrote in her Instagram story.
Paula Badosa story; Instagram – @paulabadosa
Paula Badosa story; Instagram – @paulabadosa
Sabalenka participated in the banter and claimed that she was the first one to wear the outfit:
“Ahahah I was the first one to wear this outfit”
Aryna Sabalenka story; Instagram – @arynasabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka story; Instagram – @arynasabalenka
In a recent post-match conversation, Aryna Sabalenka opened up on her friendship with Badosa and how the players share the same mindset.
“It’s just an amazing thing, you know, to find someone so similar to you and having the same kind of mindset, same thoughts on different topics and just be able to talk to someone and to have fun with someone,” she said (via Tennis 365).
While Badosa was dealing with the consequences of the stress fracture, Aryna Sabalenka was a pillar of strength. The latter expressed pride in her best friend sporting strong form at the US Open.
“I’m super happy to see her back playing so well. When she was struggling, I saw her matches, how tough it was for her and how much she struggled.
She added:
“I tried to kind of help her, like talking about stuff. I was just telling her, if you have any questions, whatever you need, just ask, just talk. I’m here to help you, whatever you need,” said Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka feels that Paula Badosa will be back at the top very soon
At the 2024 Roland Garros, the friends clashed against each other in the third round, where the Belarusian claimed victory 7-5, 6-1 over the Spaniard. But she was appreciative of Badosa’s efforts after an injury-marred season.
“It’s tough to play your best friend. She’s an incredible player coming back after injury. She’s going to be back at the top very soon,” she said. (via India Today)
At the 2024 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka and Badosa will face Ekaterina Alexandrova and Elena-Gabriela Ruse in their respective third-round matches.