Inside the friendship of tennis stars Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa as 'soulmates' get set to battle it out in Australian Open semi-final clash
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'Soulmates' will become rivals on Thursday, January 23 when Aryna Sabalenka faces close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. The two best friends have faced each other seven-times over the course of their careers but Thursday's matchup for a spot in a Grand Slam final is easily their biggest meeting to date.
![[The two tennis pros have been inseparable on and off the court ever since they first played each other back in 2021]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/21/10/82723399-0-image-a-10_1711015256082.jpg)
Sabalenka who heads into the clash as the defending champion said she won't let her friendship with the Spaniard affect her mission to create history and win a third successive Australian Open title. The number one seed is on course to become the first woman to complete a 'three-peat' at Melbourne Park since Martina Hingis from 1997-99.
![[The two often go out for meals and attend events together whilst they are enjoying their off tim from tennis]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/21/10/82723409-0-image-m-9_1711015243311.jpg)
While Badosa is aiming to secure a spot in her first-ever Grand Slam final. Here is everything you need to know about their friendship. Tennis best friends Aryna Sabalenka (pictured right) and Paula Badosa (pictured left) will play other on Thursday, January 23 in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
![[The two ladies often share pictures of their worldwide adventures on their social media accounts]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/21/10/82723833-0-image-m-19_1711016122893.jpg)
The two tennis pros have been inseparable on and off the court ever since they first played each other back in 2021. Back in 2021, the two women faced one another for the first time during the 2021 Cincinnati Masters. Their first encounter saw Sabalenka win the first set before Badosa prevailed to win the three set game.
![[The Belarusian and Spanish duo have also taking their friendship onto the court, competing in doubles events together]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/21/10/82723821-0-image-a-13_1711015988739.jpg)
They met once again at the 2021 WTA Finals, where the Spaniard came out on top once more. Sabalenka managed to get their record against one another level with Badosa by winning their last two encounters. The best friends will play one another for a eight time in Melbourne.
![[The two are on Team Kites alongside Badosa's current boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas (pictured far right) and Grigor Dimitrov (centre).]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/21/10/82723829-0-image-m-15_1711016056453.jpg)
