World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is gearing up for a crack at WTA Finals glory in Riyadh, but even champions need a breather. Enter her ultimate courtside confidante: Paula Badosa, the fiery Spaniard who’s weathered a brutal year of injuries and a high-profile split. The duo—affectionately dubbed “Sabadosa” by fans who ship their unbreakable bond as fiercely as any rivalry—squeezed in a sun-soaked Dubai escape, proving that true soulmates always find their way back.

These two aren’t just pals; they’ve crowned each other “soulmates” in interviews, trading on-court fire for off-duty tenderness. Their latest clash? A sizzling Australian Open semi-final earlier this year, where Sabalenka’s blistering form steamrolled Badosa in straight sets. No hard feelings, though—the Belarusian quipped she’d spoil her vanquished foe with a shopping spree, “buying whatever the f*** she wants.” Badosa cashed in with a bracelet from the four-time Slam queen at the Qatar Open, a glittering token of their ride-or-die vibe.

But 2025 hasn’t been kind to Badosa. The former World No. 2, once a Melbourne marvel, has battled nagging injuries since summer, capping her season early after a gritty China Open comeback—her first matches post-Wimbledon. Now, as she rebuilds for the Aussie Open 2026, the 27-year-old is channeling resilience, one physio session at a time. And who better to lift her spirits than Sabalenka, who’s made Dubai her pre-Finals training hub?

Cue the “date night”: a lavish dinner at Atlantis The Royal’s Milos, the Greek seafood shrine mere minutes from Sabalenka’s Atlantis The Palm pad. (Pro tip for Hellenic foodies: Dive into the grilled octopus, feta-stuffed zucchini blossoms, lobster linguine, or salt-crusted whole fish—pure Aegean elegance amid desert glamour.) Sabalenka teased on Instagram, “On a date with someone special 😛,” while Badosa gushed, “Back with my fav date finally! ❤️❤️❤️.” Their posts? A nostalgia-fueled frenzy: Sabalenka’s “It’s been a while 😩 #Sabadosa” paired with Badosa’s “Back together, how it should be ❤️.”

The Greek thread weaves deep here. Sabalenka’s been Greece’s frequent flyer this year, jetting to the islands with her Greek-Brazilian beau Georgios Frangulis. Badosa? Her on-off saga with Stefanos Tsitsipas—Greece’s top men’s seed—crashed for good this summer, right after her Wimbledon upset by Katie Boulter. The pair, who rekindled in May 2024 with wedding whispers, called it quits quietly, leaving Badosa to navigate heartbreak alongside her back woes.

Come Sunday, the pair traded plates for poolside poses, bikini-clad and beaming under Dubai’s relentless sun at Sabalenka’s hotel. It’s a snapshot of solidarity amid the WTA grind—Badosa sidelined but scheming comebacks, Sabalenka laser-focused on flipping her 2022 Finals runner-up script into a trophy haul.

Fresh off her second straight US Open crown in New York—cementing Year-End No. 1 status—Sabalenka hit Wuhan semis before Pegula pulled the plug. Now, with five straight Finals appearances under her belt, the 27-year-old eyes that elusive year-end crown. For Badosa, it’s a poignant pit stop: From Tsitsipas trials to Sabadosa triumphs, proving the court’s toughest battles are won off it. Here’s to friends who serve aces in life.