Aryna Sabalenka recently expressed happiness over her friend Paula Badosa’s return to form after a prolonged struggle due to injuries. The two players are currently in contention at the 2024 US Open women’s singles event.
No. 2 seed Sabalenka defeated Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-1 in the second round on Wednesday, August 28. She broke Bronzetti’s serve five times during the two sets and hit five aces.
Badosa, seeded 26th, also entered the third round with a straight-set win over home-favorite Taylor Townsend at Louis Armstrong Stadium. She beat Townsend 6-3, 7-5 with five break point conversions as the American broke her twice.
Badosa’s effort was acknowledged by Sabalenka, who reflected on the Spaniard’s struggle in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 due to a back injury she sustained at the Italian Open last year.
“I’m super happy to see her back. When she was struggling, I saw her matches, how tough it was for her and how much she struggled. 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’,” Aryna Sabalenka said.
Baodsa, once the world No. 2, slipped to the 140th spot in the WTA singles ranking in May this year, however, is back in the Top 30 with impressive performances at the Citi Open (runner-up) and Cincinnati Open (semifinalist).
Thus, Sabalenka suggested her friend has regained her level.
“Seeing her right now on her… I would say she’s back on her top level. That’s really amazing, and I’m really happy for her, and she deserves it, you know. She’s a fighter. She’s hard-working girl. She’s an amazing person. I mean, she deserves it all,” the Belarusian added.
Aryna Sabalenka on her bond with Paula Badosa: “It’s just an amazing thing to find someone so similar to you”
In the same presser in Flushing Meadows on Wednesday, a reporter asked Aryna Sabalenka to describe her relationship with Paula Baodsa and she replied:
“Oh, wow. How would I describe that? 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.”
The world No. 2 continued:
“Just to have a friend, that’s really awesome. Especially when you’re opponents on court and to be able to manage this stuff, that’s really important. How I would describe? Just an amazing thing, you know. So much fun.”
Aryna Sabalenka is set to face 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round of the 2024 US Open women’s singles event, whereas Paula Badosa will square up with Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
