Paula Badosa dropped some major praise on Aryna Sabalenka after their French Open match as Badosa says tennis needs more players like Sabalenka, who have great game but also an outstanding personality as the Spaniard insists that even becoming a 10-time Grand Slam champion wouldn’t change the Belarusian.
On Saturday, 26-year-old Badosa saw her French Open run end in the third round after her best friend Sabalenka handed her a 7-5 6-1 loss. For Badosa, it was certainly very disappointing to lose to Sabalenka considering that she had a 5-3 lead in the first set before everything fall apart for her and the second-seeded Belarusian went on to claim a two-set win.
However, ending on the losing side didn’t prevent Badosa from speaking extremely highly of Sabalenka and explain why she is 100 percent sure that the Belarusian two-time Grand Slam champion is an absolute gold for women’s tennis.
Badosa on Sabalenka after the French Open loss
“I think she shows that she’s such a natural, honest person. I think tennis needs players like her. Also, she brings an amazing game on the court, very intense. She’s passionate. I think we need players with this kind of charisma. She’s fun to watch,” Badosa said of Sabalenka.
“Off the court, she’s a nice person, very genuine, always trying to help. I think players that are so good in their sport and they’re, like, very normal and very humble, I think that’s the most important and the most inspiring.
“That’s why I think we have this amazing relationship, because even if she wins 10 more slams, she’s going to be the same person.”
Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka © Getty Images Sport – Dan Istitene
After the match was over, Badosa and Sabalenka shared a very warm hug at the net.
Meanwhile, Badosa’s French Open run still isn’t finished as the Spaniard still has mixed doubles with her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas. On Sunday, Badosa and Tsitsipas are scheduled to meet Ena Shibahara and Nathaniel Lammons in the first round.
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