MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, January 22nd, 2025
As we reach the business end of the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner, World No. 1, is bravely recovering from illness while Aryna Sabalenka, also ranked No. 1 on the women’s side, is gearing up to face her best friend, soulmate, and, on the tennis court at least, frenemy, Paula Badosa.
Born just six months apart, Badosa and Sabalenka have been besties since their first match in 2021. Their bond is as iconic as their powerful forehands and signature grunts, playing out across social media as they’re spotted dining together around the world. They’ve competed seven times so far, however their upcoming semi-final clash is the most important one yet. As Badosa goes for her first ever Grand Slam final, Sabalenka is eyeing the history books, hoping to become the first woman to win three consecutive Australian Open titles since Martina Hingis in the late ’90s. Certainly nothing is set to test the friendship quite like the prospect of a Grand Slam final, and possibly ruining your best friend’s lifelong dream.
However, friendships on the tour aren’t always so harmonious. Australian tennis legend, Lesley Bowrey, who won the French Open in 1963 and 1965, weighed in on the topic, remarking, “Tennis is very competitive, but I’ve never had problems keeping friends.” She named Judy Dalton (Wimbledon Singles Runner Up) and Jan O’Neil (Australian Open finalist) as close pals but acknowledged that not everyone on tour gets along.
When asked about the tension between Iga Swiatek (World Number 2) and Danielle Collins (World Number 11) earlier this year, Bowrey was philosophical: “Look, you’re probably not going to be very close with everyone, but it’s important in life not to hold grudges. Tennis is competitive, and everyone’s trying to win. I have had players drop me for another doubles partner even though I had some pretty good results, but what can you do? You just have to let it go.”
As Sabalenka and Badosa prepare to face off, their friendship will undoubtedly be put to the greatest test yet. Will they emerge from the match still best friends, or will this be the tennis equivalent of a reality show breakup? The only thing that might eclipse this showdown, is their post match instagram content.
