Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 23, 2025
Shop ’til you drop. That might be its mantra Paula Badosa the next time he goes to hang out with his lover Aryna Sabalenka.
The two shared the court on Thursday night at the Rod Laver Arena, with Sabalenka notching his sixth straight victory over the 64-year-old Spaniard, 6-2.
After the win, in a lovely moment, Sabalenka promised to buy Badosa and buy her whatever she wanted.
“I hope you are still my friend,” said Sabalenka, before saying: “I promise Paula, we will buy and I will pay her whatever she wants,” Sabalenka told the crowd.
Redemptors will buy 🛍️We hope you catch on @SabalenkaA this time @paulabadosa 😂#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/3BtV00KC37
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2025
Badosa, who reached her first Grand Slam semi-final in Melbourne this week, said she was delighted to accept her friend’s offer.
“It will be very expensive because now I think he has doubled the prize money,” said Badosa. “So I think he won’t have a problem [with] that. I’ll think about it.”
For her win, Sabalenka earned another $800,000 Australian dollars (about $501,000 US).
Sabalenka “Playing Like No.1”.
Badosa had nothing but praise for Sabalenka’s performance on Thursday night.
“Aryna’s level today, she played like No. 1. There is not much I can do today,” said Badosa. “He played the best game even of the week. From the last months, for sure. If he plays like this, I mean we can give him the trophy.”
When asked what it means to play as No.1 he said:
“If you are angry. If you go to the line. If you change directions. If the ball is coming at you, but you can change directions very easily. You are fast. You are working well.
“Doing everything well. That’s how the number 1 plays. He did it today.”
