Aryna Sabalenka wins hearts for consoling best friend Paula Badosa after Australian Open win

World No.1 tennis superstar Aryna Sabalenka has won hearts across the world for a classy act after her Australian Open win over best friend Paula Badosa on Thursday night.

The two-time reigning champion and overwhelming favourite proved she’s a ruthless competitor on the court, no matter the opponent, but always a good friend off it.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aryna Sabalenka wins hearts for consoling best friend Paula Badosa.

After ending Badosa’s fairytale comeback from a career-threatening injury at the semi-finals in Melbourne, Sabalenka went straight over to her friend in the locker rooms to console and laugh with her.

Footage captured of the moment has since gone viral, with tennis fans around the world melting over the pair’s beautiful friendship, and Sabalenka’s commitment to it in the moments after reaching a major final.

“Less than 20 minutes after playing a grand slam semi-final, they’re back to chatting and laughing like normal,” The Tennis Letter said.

“Love this friendship so much.”

Badosa, a former world No.2 who was named comeback player of the year in 2024 following career-threatening back injuries, had been in the form of her life in Melbourne.

But what promised to be an awkward match between close mates — “it’s horrible,” Alicia Molik recalled from her own career — simply exposed the gap between the Spaniard’s level and that of tennis’s unstoppable force.

“I think after a couple of battles against each other we’ve spoken and we’ve decided to put it aside,” Sabalenka said of balancing their friendship and rivalry.

“We’re here, she wanted it badly, we both wanted it badly. It’s our dream. We know no matter what happens on the court we’re going to be friends.

“It’s tough to do but we agreed on that and I don’t know, I think we’re doing it pretty well. I hope she’s still my friend, I’m sure she’ll hate me for the next hour or day or two. I’m OK with that, I can handle that, and then after that we’ll be back to being friends and going out shopping together.”

Sabalenka jokingly promised she would pay for “whatever s***” Badosa wanted to buy on their next day out —covering her mouth when she realised what she had promised.

Bidding to become the first player since Martina Hingis to claim a three-peat of titles at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka lived up to her No.1 billing on Thursday night to post a 6-4, 6-2 victory and book a spot in the final.

She will battle Madison Keys for the title, after the American saved a match point before upsetting second seed Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in the second semi-final.

Swiss great Hingis claimed her triple title run from 1997-1999, while that honour roll call also includes the likes of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley and Margaret Court, who was watching from the front row in Rod Laver Arena.

“I have goosebumps, I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of my team they’re able to put ourselves in such a situation,” 26-year-old Sabalenka said.

“It’s a privilege. If I’m able to put my name into history, it will mean a lot. It will mean the world to me.

“First I was dreaming to win at least one grand slam. Now I have this opportunity. It’s incredible. I’m going to go out and leave everything I have in the final.”

In the opening set Badosa broke the Belarusian to take a 2-0 lead and led 40-0 with Sabalenka making a slew of unforced errors.

But the champion battled through the eight-minute game to break her rival and never looked back.

It was expected 11th-seeded Badosa, who eliminated world No.3 Coco Gauff in straight sets in the quarter-finals, would put up more of a fight against her great friend after an impressive run through the tournament.

But Badosa, who slipped out of the top 100 early last year due to a debilitating back injury, was bereft of answers to tame the two-time defending champion.

Sabalenka, who has now won 20 consecutive matches at Melbourne Park, fired 32 winners to Badosa’s 11.

She didn’t drop a point in her final service game and blasted a forehand winner to wrap up the match in one hour and 26 minutes.

The top seed said it was tougher than it looked, particularly when she got off to a slow start against Badosa, who was playing in her first major semi-final.

“Somehow, I was able to turn the score in that crucial game,” she said.

“It was a super tough match. Against my friend, I’m super happy for her, to see her at her highest level.

“Tough match and a super battle and happy to be through this difficult match.”

- With Glenn Valencich and AAP