Paula Badosa's decision to skip partnering with Aryna Sabalenka for doubles at the 2025 Brisbane International raised eyebrows, particularly among fans eager to see the two friends join forces on the court. Instead, Badosa teamed up with Ons Jabeur, leading to early successes and subsequent disappointments for both players.
During a press conference, Badosa humorously articulated her rationale for not partnering with Sabalenka, the world No. 1, saying, "She doesn’t need it right now (smiling). She’s good with it." This implication—that Sabalenka's skills and current form made extra match practice superfluous—sheds light on the supportive yet competitive nature of the relationship between these top players.
Despite her close bond with Sabalenka, Badosa's choice to play doubles with Jabeur stemmed from the solid partnership they have built, which is bolstered by mutual friendship. “With Ons, I have a great relationship,” Badosa noted, serving up clarity on her decision to prioritize dynamics on the court.
Both Badosa and Jabeur began their doubles campaign at the Brisbane International with confidence, securing victory against fourth-seeded Alexandra Panova and Guo Hanyu with scores of 6-4, 5-7, 10-8. Their triumph was short-lived, though, as they fell to the eventual champions, Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva, during the quarterfinals.
Reflecting on her performance, Badosa considered her early elimination, hinting at her commitment to improving through doubles play. “I think it helps each other,” she stated, referencing the value of match play when it came to fine-tuning their respective games.
While Badosa faced challenges throughout the Brisbane outings, Sabalenka emerged with her confidence firmly intact. The world No. 1 clinched her 18th career title by overcoming 21-year-old qualifier Polina Kudermetova, marking her successful second Brisbane International title and her fourth title overall on Australian soil.
After the victory, Sabalenka expressed her readiness for the upcoming Australian Open, stating, “I feel my game pretty well. Mentally, physically I’ll be ready to go at the Australian Open.” With this determined mindset, she is on track to pursue her goal of becoming the first woman to secure three consecutive Australian Open titles since Martina Hingis.
For Badosa, the week was marked by disappointment, particularly after her early exit from singles competition. The fourth seed lost to Elina Avanesyan, succumbing to her opponent’s momentum and resulting in Badosa bowing out of the tournament early.
Looking forward, Badosa intends to focus on her doubles results with Jabeur and is optimistic about continuing their partnership throughout the coming events. “It's like we have singles on our mind always and it's our priority. To play doubles, it's always helpful especially to work on other stuff,” she added, indicating growth aspirations through this collaborative gameplay.
Badosa's next challenge will be at the 2025 Adelaide International, seeded fifth. Her opening match will be against American rising star Peyton Stearns, marking the second encounter between the two, as Badosa previously conquered Stearns at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. This tournament serves as the final preparation round before the year’s first Grand Slam.
Despite setbacks at Brisbane, Badosa is hopeful to carry momentum from her doubles alliance with Jabeur as they continue to work closely together, both personally and professionally. Fans can look forward to good showings from this dynamic duo, alongside their friendship, adding light-heartedness to the competitive WTA environment.
With Sabalenka soaring and Badosa seeking recovery, the women’s tour remains intriguing as they prepare to embrace the challenges awaiting them at the Australian Open.