Paula Badosa has made a winning return to the Australian Open after defeating Zarina Diyas in round one.
Badosa was forced to end her 2025 season early due to injury, but the WTA number 26 is now back with a bang.
She overcame Diyas 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Australian Open, and now takes on Oksana Selekhmeteva in round two.
The Spaniard warmed up for the Grand Slam at the Brisbane International and the Adelaide International, playing both singles and doubles at the former.
Paula Badosa grateful for Aryna Sabalenka friendship
Badosa played doubles with world number one Aryna Sabalenka in Brisbane, but the pair recently showed off their fun side off the court with a TikTok video, in which they were joined by Amanda Anisimova.
When asked what it’s like to have a friend like Sabalenka achieving such success in tennis, Badosa said: “Yeah, we’ve always had a great relationship.
“It doesn’t matter if she’s No. 1 or No. 20 or whatever. In my case it’s the same. I think we have a very similar personality in that sense. I appreciate that she didn’t change because you never know sometimes.
“Yeah, it’s nice that we can enjoy on and off court. We have fun. We had fun also in pre-season some days. It’s nice we can share moments.
“Also with Amanda, she’s great also. We were doing the TikTok. She was around. She wanted to join. Why not?
“I think it’s also something that it’s not very common to see three of the best tennis players in the world doing that kind of thing.
“I think it’s nice to see also, especially for the next generation, that you don’t need to be enemies. At the same time you just can do this kind of stuff, then be 100% competitive on court.”
Paula Badosa thinks she has a good relationship with WTA rivals
Badosa was subsequently asked if she thinks such a mentality encourages more friendship and camaraderie in the WTA locker room.
She responded: “I think so. The last years have changed a lot on that. As you know, I try to have a good relationship with many players. I think I achieve that.
“I think it’s good to have this good environment around. It’s helpful. At the end of the day we spend so many hours between us.
“So yeah, I think that has changed in the past years with the WTA players. I think it’s a good sign.”
It’s such an admirable approach from Badosa, who herself has managed to remain upbeat despite her frustrating injury issues.
And on a broader scale, tennis is not always the most significant aspect of a player’s life, with health and well-being also of huge importance, both physically and mentally.
READ MORE: Rennae Stubbs makes a big Amanda Anisimova claim before the Australian Open
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