“It has to be weird” – Kim Clijsters makes her feelings clear on Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa being ‘best friends’ despite rivalry
Kim Clijsters Praises Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa’s Friendship Amidst Fierce Rivalry
Despite their intense on-court battles, Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa share a close friendship, something that has caught the attention of tennis great Kim Clijsters. The duo has faced off eight times on tour, with Sabalenka holding a dominant 6-2 record, including a victory in their 2025 Australian Open semifinal clash.
Their strong bond was evident when Sabalenka gifted Badosa an expensive bracelet as an apology for denying her a maiden Grand Slam title—an act that highlighted the depth of their friendship.
Kim Clijsters’ Take on Friendships in Tennis
Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Kim Clijsters expressed her admiration for Sabalenka and Badosa’s friendship while admitting she struggled to form such close relationships with opponents during her own career.
“I could never have that kind of relationship with an opponent. If my friend was on tour with me, we’d be together all the time. In tennis, there’s still a little bit of a separation because everyone has their teams, their boyfriends, their own space.”
Clijsters also noted how social media has changed player dynamics, fostering stronger connections between athletes.
“In the last few years, a lot of players are closer than before. Maybe social media has something to do with it. Back in the day, we didn’t know much about our opponents’ private lives. Now, you see everything on social media—it’s different, but I think it’s great.”
While she acknowledged the benefits of camaraderie on tour, she also pointed out the complexities of competing against friends.
“It’s great for women to be close and to support each other, but at the same time, it has to be weird competing against each other. Everyone deals with pressure differently—it’s an individual sport, even though we’re all together.”
Sabalenka and Badosa’s 2025 Season So Far
Aryna Sabalenka has had a strong start to the season, winning the Brisbane International title before finishing as the runner-up at the Australian Open. However, her Qatar Open campaign ended in an early upset as she fell to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round.
Meanwhile, Paula Badosa’s best results this season include a Brisbane International doubles quarterfinal alongside Ons Jabeur and her Australian Open semifinal appearance. In Doha, Badosa advanced to the second round before losing to Amanda Anisimova.
Despite their competitive rivalry, Sabalenka and Badosa continue to redefine what it means to balance friendship and competition in professional tennis.
