World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has promised her great friend Paula Badosa a ‘shopping date’ after beating her to reach the final of the Women’s singles at the Australian Open 2025 on Thursday, January 23. Sabalenka went past Badosa in straight sets to reach her third Australian Open final on the trot and remain unbeaten this season. This was also her 20th consecutive win in Melbourne as she edged closer to a hat-trick of Australian Open titles.

The World No.1 was at her dominant best against the Spaniard as she extended her head-to-head record against Badosa to 6-2. Sabalenka and Badosa share a great bond off the court as they’re good friends and the current World No.1 said she hopes that the bond will continue despite the result on Thursday. Sabalenka said she was happy to see Badosa performing at her best and promised to pay for anything she wanted during their shopping date.

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“I think after a couple of battles against each other we’ve spoken and we’ve decided to put it aside,” Sabalenka said. “We’re here, she wanted it badly, we both wanted it badly. It’s our dream. We know no matter what happens on the court we’re going to be friends.”

“It’s tough to do, but we agreed on that and I don’t know, I think we’re doing it pretty well. I hope she’s still my friend, I’m sure she’ll hate me for the next hour or day or two. I’m OK with that, I can handle that, and then after that we’ll be back to being friends and going out shopping together.”

“I would love to go shopping together soon, and I promise to pay for anything she wants,” said Sabalenka.

Sabalenka now awaits the winner of the Iga Swiatek vs Madison Keys match in the final.

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‘A privilege’

Sabalenka now has the chance to join the likes of Martina Hingis, Monica Seles and Steffi Graff as the female star to have completed a hat-trick in Melbourne. The current World No.1 said it would be a privilege for her to put her name into history and vowed to give her everything in the final.

“It’s a privilege. If I’m able to put my name into history, it will mean a lot. It will mean the world to me,” the 26-year-old said.

“First I was dreaming to win at least one grand slam. Now I have this opportunity. It’s incredible. I’m going to go out and leave everything I have in the final.”

The women’s singles final will take place on Saturday, January 25.