The 2025 Madrid Open has been a stage for breathtaking tennis, but for Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s player, the tournament carries a bittersweet undertone due to the absence of her close friend Paula Badosa. The Spanish star, a former world No. 2, was forced to withdraw from her home event just hours before her scheduled first-round match against Veronika Kudermetova, citing a persistent back injury that has plagued her season. Sabalenka, who has been powering through the draw with her signature intensity, expressed deep sorrow for Badosa’s setback, highlighting the emotional bond that defines their friendship—a connection that transcends the fierce rivalries of the WTA tour.
Sabalenka’s campaign in Madrid has been nothing short of spectacular. Coming off a runner-up finish at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the Belarusian showcased her resilience in a thrilling comeback against Elise Mertens, rallying from a set down to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 and secure her spot in the fourth round. Her next challenge is a clash with American Peyton Stearns, a rematch of their dramatic 2024 Indian Wells encounter, which Sabalenka won in a tense three-setter. Yet, amidst her focus on capturing a third Madrid title, Sabalenka’s thoughts turned to Badosa during a candid interview on the tournament’s Twitch channel. “I’m really sad that she can’t play in front of her people. I wish her a quick recovery. It was better to stop and deal to it, hopefully she’ll be 100% soon,” she said, her voice tinged with empathy for her friend’s struggle.
The friendship between Sabalenka and Badosa, affectionately dubbed “Sabadosa” by fans, is a beacon of camaraderie in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. Their bond, which blossomed at Indian Wells in 2022, has weathered competitive battles, including Sabalenka’s dominant 6-4, 6-2 victory over Badosa in the 2025 Australian Open semifinals. Off the court, they’ve shared laughter, practiced together in matching outfits, and supported each other through personal and professional challenges. Sabalenka’s disappointment over Badosa’s withdrawal is amplified by the significance of the Madrid Open to the Spaniard, who has long cherished competing in front of her home crowd. Badosa’s emotional Instagram post echoed her heartbreak: “I’ve tried to do everything possible until the last moment because you know how excited I am to play at home, but it’s being a complicated injury.”
Badosa’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. Named the WTA Comeback Player of the Year in 2024 after overcoming a career-threatening back injury, she reached the Australian Open semifinals and returned to the top 10. However, her momentum was derailed in March at the Merida Open, where her back issues resurfaced during a match against Daria Saville. A walkover in Miami against Alexandra Eala followed, and despite efforts to recover in time for Madrid, Badosa’s body wasn’t ready. Her withdrawal paved the way for Cristina Bucsa to enter the draw as a lucky loser, while Badosa shifted her focus to supporting her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose animated second-round victory she celebrated from the stands.
Sabalenka, ever the supportive friend, injected a moment of levity into the conversation, playfully blaming Badosa for her limited Spanish skills