Badosa beat Coco Gauff to reach the last four in Melbourne, overcoming the world number three in straight sets for her best-ever Grand Slam finish.

But Badosa then lost by the same result to world number one Sabalenka, who went on to lose the final to Madison Keys.

The Spaniard failed to capitalise on her momentum at the Abu Dhabi Open, losing her round of 16 meeting with Linda Noskova.

Paula Badosa loves Aryna Sabalenka’s character and personality

A Qatar Open round of 64 tie with Katerina Siniakova is now on the agenda, with top seed Sabalenka earning a bye into the round of 32.

Badosa’s true thoughts on the Belarusian have now become clear, with the former saying of the latter on Tennis For Everyone with Pavel Kisly: “She is a woman with a very big heart, very kind and sweet but what I love the most from her is that she is such a strong character, big personality and a big fighter, so I really like that and I think she inspires me as a strong woman.

READ MORE: Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals what was said between him and Paula Badosa during ‘serious conversations’ at the Australian Open

“She has been through a lot and she always finds a way. In tough moments I think she even has more strength and more power.

“So knowing her from the inside and outside, on court and off court, she is like a teddy bear but also a tiger so it is a combination that I feel a bit like her. It is very inspiring to see her.”

How many WTA Tour titles do Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa have?

Sabalenka has proven those characteristics time and again, with the 26-year-old boasting 18 WTA Tour titles.

Three of those have come in Grand Slams, with the Belarusian having also lost in two major singles finals over the years.

READ MORE: Madison Keys reacts to what Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have said about her after her first Australian Open title win

She will have undoubtedly found it quite tricky to overcome such a close companion in Badosa, but her professionalism came to the fore in Melbourne.

After a stunning 2024 season, Sabalenka would have wanted to clinch a third successive Australian Open title, but Keys had other plans.

The former is, however, already a champion in 2025, having emerged victorious at the Brisbane International in early January.

Badosa meanwhile has four titles to her name, and currently occupies 10th in the WTA rankings after her superb run in Melbourne.

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