"I promise we will go shopping and I'll pay for whatever you want": Aryna Sabalenka makes promise to Paula Badosa after crushing defeat
WTA
Aryna Sabalenka has promised Paula Badosa something she might live to regret in a shopping spree after her crushing win over her best friend 6-4, 6-2 to reach a third straight Australian Open final.
Sabalenka instantly regretted it saying that she needs to put a limit on her card to stop her going crazy. Best friends off court but they made the pact to put their friendship aside during games so they could give it their best.
But while Sabalenka played a near flawless effort, Badosa will be crestfallen after getting so close but so far in defeat to Sabalenka. The World No.1 quipped that Badosa might hate her for days to come but the embrace at the net showed a lot of love between the pair.
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"I think after a couple of battles against each other we spoke and we decided to put it aside. Here she wants it badly, we both want it badly. It's our dream. Here were just opponents, no matter what happens on the court we're gonna be friends after our matches.
"It is tough to do but we agreed on that I don't know I think we're doing it pretty well. I hope she’s still my friend. I'm sure she'll hate me for the next hour or day or two. I'm ok with that. After that we'll be back together as friends, go out shopping. I promise Paula we will go shopping and I’ll pay for whatever you want."
A point she regretted as she tried hilariously to pull away from the microphone but it had already left her mouth.
"Of course I'm going to practice a little bit but then for the rest of the day I'm going to put aside tennis. Shopping with Paula maybe. I hope she’s gonna be here & we can go shop. I’m gonna put a limit for her because she can go crazy."
Aryna Sabalenka on what she’ll do ahead of the Australian Open Final
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 23, 2025
“Shopping with Paula? 😂maybe.. I hope she’s gonna be here & we can go shop. I’m gonna put a limit for her because she can go crazy” 💀
pic.twitter.com/Wp1uaorEJQ

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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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mandoist08-11-2026







