Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa, the "Sabadosa" duo, are set to face off for the third time in 2024 at Roland Garros. Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, has expressed her admiration for Badosa, calling her a "great fighter" and a "tour soulmate."
Despite her aversion to watching women's tennis, Sabalenka has made an exception for Badosa, who has twice faced her this season. In Miami, Sabalenka was playing her first match after the tragic loss of her ex-partner, while in Stuttgart, Badosa nearly upset Sabalenka before suffering an injury.
Badosa, who has been struggling with chronic back issues, is excited to face Sabalenka again. She believes the match will be a "fun" and "great battle." Sabalenka, for her part, agrees that it will be a tough match but is confident in her ability to separate court and life.
The "Sabadosa" friendship began at the Tie Break Tens event in 2022 and has blossomed since then. Sabalenka credits the relationship with helping her mature as a person and competitor. She believes that the top players on the WTA Tour are now more friendly off the court, despite being fierce opponents on it.
Sabalenka has been in impressive form on clay this season, losing only to Iga Swiatek in her last two tournaments. Badosa has had a tougher time but has shown resilience in both of her matches at Roland Garros.
The match between Sabalenka and Badosa is sure to be a highlight of the tournament. The two friends will put their friendship aside for a competitive battle on the court, but their bond will remain strong off it.
Tags: #RolandGarros, #Sabalenka, #Badosa, #Sabadosa, #WTA
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