By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 23, 2025
Store til you drop. Which may very effectively be the mantra of Paula Badosa the following time she hangs out along with her bestie Aryna Sabalenka.
The pair shared the court docket on Thursday night time in Rod Laver Enviornment, with Sabalenka notching her sixth consecutive victory over the Spaniard, 64, 6-2.
After the win, in an endearing second, Sabalenka promised that she would take Badosa buying and purchase her no matter she needs.
“I hope she’s nonetheless my buddy,” Sabalenka joked, earlier than saying: “I promise Paula, we’ll buy groceries and I’ll pay for no matter she needs,” Sabalenka instructed the gang.
Besties buy groceries 🛍️We hope you maintain @SabalenkaA to this @paulabadosa 😂#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/3BtV00KC37
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2025
Badosa, who reached her maiden Grand Slam semifinal in Melbourne this week, says she’s more than pleased to take her buddy up on that provide.
“It’ll be one thing actually costly as a result of now I believe she doubled the prize cash,” Badosa mentioned. “So I believe she will not have an issue [with] that. I’ll give it some thought.”
For her win, Sabalenka earned an additional $800,000 Australian {dollars} (about $501,000 US {dollars}).
Sabalenka “Enjoying Like No.1
Badosa had nothing however reward for the standard of Sabalenka’s play on Thursday night time.
“The extent of Aryna at present, she performed like a No. 1. I could not do rather more at present,” Badosa mentioned. “She performed the most effective match not even of the week. From the final months, for certain. If she performs like this, I imply, we will already give her the trophy.”
Requested to elaborate on what enjoying like a No.1 meant she mentioned:
“While you’re aggressive. While you go for the traces. While you change instructions. When a ball is coming robust to you, however you are in a position to change instructions very simply. You are quick. You are serving effectively.
“You do every little thing effectively. That is how a No. 1 performs. She did it at present.”
