“It’s not a competition 24/7”: Ons Jabeur and Paula Badosa reflect on rivalry and friendship on tour

Ons Jabeur and Paula Badosa have spent much of their professional careers rising through the rankings during the same era on the WTA Tour. Both players reached career-high rankings of world No. 2 and became central figures in women’s tennis during the early 2020s, combining strong results at Grand Slams with consistent runs at major WTA events.

Their achievements came during overlapping phases. Jabeur reached three Grand Slam finals — Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023, and the US Open in 2022 — becoming the most successful Arab player in tennis history. Badosa’s breakthrough moment arrived with her WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells in 2021, followed by deep runs at major tournaments including a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open.

Despite similar trajectories, their rivalry on court has remained relatively balanced in terms of importance, even if Badosa currently leads their head-to-head record. The two have met in several matches across the WTA Tour, often during pivotal moments when both were establishing themselves among the top players in the rankings.

The Tunisian, who has taken a break from her career due to pregnancy, spent a day with her friend Badosa for her YouTube series Her Game, Her Rules. The two players reflected on their evolving relationship — from early competitive tension to a friendship shaped by shared experiences on the demanding professional circuit.

Jabeur and Badosa first encountered each other early in their careers while attempting to break into the Top 100. Badosa recalled hearing about the Tunisian as a talented junior champion before they faced each other in qualifying at the US Open.

At the time, both were still trying to establish themselves on tour. Their early meetings were highly competitive, reflecting the pressure faced by players attempting to secure consistent results and climb the rankings.

Their relationship gradually shifted as both players matured and began experiencing similar challenges at the top level — balancing travel, injuries and expectations. “We can play against each other, we compete there, but then we can be friends. Then you realize other people and you can practice with them. It’s not a competition 24/7.”

Badosa acknowledged that her perspective on other players changed significantly over time. Earlier in her career, she said personal struggles sometimes affected how she viewed opponents on the circuit.

“Sometimes when you're not at your best or you don't have the best people around you, you close yourself more and those people make you even more closed. You think that everyone is the enemy. Then you start opening up and you're like, wow, actually she’s an amazing person.”

“We compete there, but then we can be friends. And then you realize other people and you can practice with them. It's not like a competition 24-7.”

Jabeur also reflected on how their rivalry became easier to manage as both players reached the top levels of the sport and understood the realities of professional tennis. “For me, I can compete against you and then I can be friends with you. I can speak to you and be nice to you. Some people find it difficult, but for me it’s natural.”

Beyond competition, both players spoke at length about the psychological challenges of life on the WTA Tour. Long seasons, constant travel and intense expectations can create emotional swings that players must learn to manage.

Jabeur described the tour as an environment where results can heavily influence how players feel from week to week. “The tour can be very difficult, very lonely. When you lose, it’s like it’s the end of the world, and when you win, it’s like you’re the happiest person. So it’s a roller coaster of emotions.”

Badosa added that physical injuries often overlap with emotional stress, particularly during difficult periods away from the court. In recent seasons, she has faced several injury setbacks while attempting to regain her best form. “Sometimes they’re emotional. There are moments or personal situations that mix there. I think sometimes injuries are connected a lot to emotional things that happen to you.”

Both players also discussed the increasing conversation around mental health in tennis, noting that several players have stepped away from the tour in recent years to recover both physically and mentally.

“Now we talk more about mental health, but more and more players are stopping the season pretty early. If it’s not physical injuries, it’s mental injuries, I call it,” Jabeur said. “For me sometimes it’s easier that I get injured and cannot walk on the court than to stop because I’m not feeling well in my brain. It’s tough to accept.”

As experienced players on tour, both Jabeur and Badosa said they have become more aware of the importance of balance and emotional stability in maintaining a long career.

Jabeur emphasised that younger players should learn to manage the pressures created by rankings, sponsorship obligations and packed tournament schedules. “Please choose your tournaments. Don’t be forced by the points and the sponsors and everything around it.” “If you don’t feel like going, just don’t go, don’t play. People forget that we are human beings. We’re not robots.”

Badosa described how recent years have reshaped her understanding of happiness, moving away from the constant pursuit of adrenaline and results toward a quieter sense of personal stability.

“I always ask myself the question: am I happy? But then I’m like, what’s happiness? My brain starts going like a washing machine,” the fomre rowrld No. 2 stated. “I’m realizing that happiness is peace. I thought happiness was adrenaline, doing things nonstop. But now I wake up and everything is fine, and I think that’s happiness.”