"She watches WTA because she watches me" - Paula Badosa defends Aryna Sabaleka after backlash over controversial remarks

Paula Badosa supported Aryna Sabalenka as the Belarusian received backlash for her controversial comments on the WTA. When questioned about Sabalenka's assertions that she does not watch women's tennis, Badosa spoke up in support of the World No. 2.

Badosa and Sabalenka, despite being direct rivals on the tennis court, share a good bond. They are often seen together and support each other on social media.

Badosa and Sabalenka have faced each other 6 times in their careers, with the Belarusian leading the head-to-head race with 4-2. They last squared off in the 2024 Stuttgart Open where the Spaniard unfortunately had to retire due to injury.

When Badosa was questioned regarding Sabalenka's contentious remarks regarding women's matches and the WTA, she came in defense of the 2-time grand slam champion. According to Paula Badosa, she is fairly certain that Sabalenka follows her matches.

"I’m pretty sure she watches WTA because she watches me,” she said, according to a tweet by Jose Morgado, a tennis journalist.

Morgado had put up a tweet with regard to Badosa's response. Remarkably, Paula Badosa wrote 'Hahahahahahaha' in response and tagged Sabalenka.

In April 2024, Sabalenka made controversial comments about women's tennis, stating that she preferred to watch men's tennis. The 26-year-old opined that men's tennis is more logical and interesting.

"I'm not someone who watches too much tennis, I prefer to watch men's tennis rather than women's tennis, I feel like there is more logic and it's more interesting to watch (laughs)," she said at the time.

The Belarusian's comments caused her a lot of backlash. As a result, she had to clarify her remarks at a press conference. In defense of herself, Sabalenka claimed that she studies and spends a lot of time watching WTA players before playing them, so she prefers to watch men's tennis in her free time.

"I didn’t want to disparage women’s tennis, no. I don’t like to watch it just because I play against all of them and I just want to kind of like change the picture. I just find it more fun to watch the men play because I spend a lot of time studying my opponents, so then in my free time I don’t want to see the girls I play against again,” she clarified.

"It doesn't happen very often that you can find your soulmate on the circuit" - Sabalenka calls Paula Badosa her 'soulmate'

Paula Badosa(L) and Aryna Sabalenka(R) at the Miami Open

Aryna Sabalenka recently called Paula Badosa her "soulmate" when discussing her relationship with the Spaniard. Despite being competitors on the tennis court, they are extremely close to one another.

The 26-year-old claimed that because tennis players compete against one another as professionals, it is difficult to find a "soulmate" in the sport.

It is very difficult. It doesn't happen very often that you can find your soulmate on the circuit because we compete against each other. But we had this deal: on the court we are opponents, we can shout whatever we want, but off the court we are friends again," she said. (via puntodebreak)

Conversely, Paula Badosa also expressed her feelings regarding the Belarusian. Before their Miami Open match in 2024, the Spaniard referred to Sabalenka as her "best friend. Badosa also offered support to Sabalenka after the latter went through a personal tragedy.

"Yesterday I spoke with her for a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she's going through. I know the entire situation, what is happening. For me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because in the end she's my best friend and I don't want her to suffer. It's a very tough situation," she said, according to Sky Sports.

Badosa and Sabalenka are currently competing at the 2024 French Open. The World No. 2 defeated Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 in the first round to kick off her campaign. Badosa, meanwhile, had a tough 1R match against Katie Boulter. After losing the opening set, the Spaniard came back strongly to win the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.