World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is gearing up for a shot at the prestigious WTA Finals trophy in Riyadh, but even amidst her intense schedule, she carved out some downtime with her closest friend and fellow tennis star, Paula Badosa.
The duo, affectionately nicknamed “Sabadosa” by their fans, share a deep bond off the court, though they’ve often faced each other in high-stakes matches.
Their most recent clash came in this year’s Australian Open semi-finals, where Sabalenka defeated Badosa in straight sets.
Despite the fierce competition, their friendship remains intact, with Sabalenka joking about treating Badosa to whatever she wanted.
A Long-Awaited Reunion Over Dinner
Badosa, who has battled injury issues this season, ending her campaign early after the China Open, reunited with Sabalenka during a training stop in Dubai.
The pair enjoyed a dinner at the Atlantis The Royal Hotel, located close to Sabalenka’s temporary base at Atlantis The Palm.
Sharing glimpses of their evening on social media, Sabalenka teased she was “on a date with someone special,” while Badosa responded with heart emojis, calling Sabalenka her “fav date.”
The posts highlighted just how long it had been since they last saw each other, with captions like “it’s been a while #Sabadosa” and “back together, how it should be.”
Dining in Style at Milos
The friends chose the Greek restaurant Milos for their meal, known for its fresh seafood offerings.
Both players have connections to Greek culture—Sabalenka through her Greek-Brazilian boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, and Badosa from her previous relationship with Greece’s men’s star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The menu at Milos boasts dishes like grilled octopus, lobster pasta, stuffed courgette flowers with feta, and whole fish baked in a salt crust, providing a delicious backdrop for the pair’s catch-up.
Sun, Relaxation, and Quality Time
The following day, Sabalenka and Badosa enjoyed some sunshine, sharing photos in bikinis as they soaked up the downtime amid the demanding WTA Tour schedule.
While Badosa continues to recover from a persistent back injury and won’t return to competition this season, Sabalenka remains focused on ending her 2025 campaign on a high note.
Sabalenka Eyes WTA Finals Glory
After securing her second consecutive US Open title, Sabalenka will finish 2025 as the World No. 1.
She played her first tournament post-New York in Wuhan, reaching the semi-finals before losing to US star Jessica Pegula.
With the WTA Finals on the horizon, Sabalenka has the chance to claim her first-ever title at the season-ending event.
The Belarusian has competed at the Finals five consecutive times, finishing as runner-up in 2022, and will be eager to finally lift the trophy to cap off a remarkable year.