Paula Badosa was full of admiration for Aryna Sabalenka after the World No. 2 defeated her in straight sets at the Miami Open. This was after Konstantin Koltsov, her previous boyfriend, passed away.
Days after the Belarusian star’s former partner passed away, Paula Badosa maintains she was not shocked when Aryna Sabalenka forced her out of the Miami Open.
Sabalenka returned to the tennis court after Konstantin Koltsov had died on Monday, in what police described as an apparent suicide.
The two-time and reigning Australian Open champion managed to compose herself at the end of an emotional few days to beat close friend Badosa 6-4, 6-3.
When asked if Sabalenka’s quality of play under the given circumstances shocked her, the Spaniard replied, “No, not at all.” She is, as I mentioned, an extremely strong woman with a strong personality. It is visible on the court. especially since we don’t play basketball. I’m not surprised in the slightest.
Following Koltsov’s passing, Badosa—who earlier on Tuesday defeated Simona Halep in three sets—explained that she and Sabalenka had spoken extensively, with the Spanish world No. 72 acknowledging that it would be “uncomfortable” to play Sabalenka in these circumstances.
And she certainly struggled more than her opponent in windy conditions before the players shared a long embrace at the end of their match, as the world No 2 set up a third-round clash with Ukraine’s Anhelinha Kalinina.
Honestly, both of us are pretty strong mentally,’ Badosa said. ‘We’re strong women. She proved it. I proved it. We knew how to disconnect in that match.
‘She played really well. We’ve been through a lot in our lives, we’re strong women, and we know how to separate that in that moment.’
Sabalenka — dressed, like Badosa, all in black — had been welcomed onto the court to warm applause.
told her,’ said former French Open quarter-finalist Badosa. ‘I wished her well. I hope she goes a long way in the tournament.’