Aryna Sabalenka ‘s friendship with Paula Badosa is quite popular. The two are often seen hanging out together at tournament sites and have signed up together for exhibition events as well. They often poke fun at each other on social media as well, setting some big friendship goals on the Tour.
But there might be some trouble in paradise as Ons Jabeur has gotten ‘in between’ the two best friends. The Tunisian has been called the ‘Minister of Happiness’ by fans. The title comes from her fun personality, but that seems to have cost Sabalenka her friendship with the Spaniard.
As the trio prepares for the upcoming 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Jabeur turned an interviewer for Badosa. She asked who does the Spaniard considered her best friend on the Tour.
Very important question because everybody wants to know, who's your best friend on the Tour? asked Ons Jabeur
Badosa didn’t waste a single second and immediately picked the Tunisian.
You! replied Paula Badosa, before giving her a hug
As the two ladies laughed, Jabeur pointed to the cameras and asked them to send her the tape. The media team didn’t disappoint and quickly posted the reel on their social media accounts.
Jabeur further put it on her Instagram story and tagged Sabalenka saying ‘sorry’. The Belarusian showed her disapproval of her reply and reposted the story with a message for Badosa. Although it was surely in a joking manner, nevertheless, the current World No. 2 pretended to be heartbroken.
Ok bye @paulabadosa You lost me now!!!! wrote Aryna Sabalenka
Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka to clash in the second round in Stuttgart, Ons Jabeur is yet to start her campaign
The tournament in Stuttgart kicked off on Monday 15th April. Sabalenka had a bye in the first round owing to her seeding. Badosa took on Diana Shnaider in the first round and comfortably defeated the Russian 6-3, 6-4.
The win now puts her against Sabalenka for the sixth career meeting between the two. They recently clashed in the second round of the 2024 Indian Wells Open when a grieving Sabalenka emerged victorious. Their pictures together following the difficult match had tennis fans overwhelmed on social media.
With the win, she now leads the Spaniard 3-2 in the head-to-head. This will be the third consecutive year when the two best friends are clashing in Stuttgart. The reigning Australian Open winner won both the matches, the semis in 2022 and the quarter-finals in 2023. Badosa now has a chance to get back on the board, having lost three consecutive matches and having won the first two.
As for Jabeur, she will take on Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round. The Russian has a healthy 6-2 lead against the Tunisian in their head-to-head. They last met in the Madrid Open in 2022, where Jabeur emerged victorious.
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