Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa embrace after their clash. (Image: Getty)
joked that rival could now buy her “something really expensive” after following their semi-final.
Playing in her first Grand Slam final four clash, the Spaniard was no match for the defending champion, going down 6-4 6-2.
The two players are known to be close friends, and there was a warm embrace at the net after Sabalenka secured a third straight final appearance at Melbourne Park.
Speaking on-court after her win, the Belarusian told Jelena Dokic: “I hope she’s still my friend. I’m sure she hates me for the next hours and day.
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“It’s okay I can handle that. After that I think we’ll be back as friends, back going out together, shopping…I promise Paula we’ll go shopping and I’ll pay for whatever she wants.”
Adding that she hopes the 27-year-old will remain down under to watch her final, she added: “I hope she’ll still be here and we can go shop. But I’ll put a limit for her because she can go crazy.”
In her post-match press conference, Badosa was asked if she was aware of the gesture, and if so what would she be demanding as a gift. “Something really expensive then,” she said, while smiling.
Badosa struggled to assert herself against Sabalenka. (Image: Getty)
“It’s going to be something really expensive because now I think she doubled the prize money. So I think she won’t have a problem for that. I will think about it.”
Amid an increased prize fund at the tournament this year, Sabalenka is now guaranteed a minimum sum of £955,000 for making the final, where she’ll face either Madison Keys or .
The 26-year-old will increase that total to £1.76million if she captures a third straight title on Saturday at the Rod Laver Arena. Badosa meanwhile, will take home £553,000.
Despite her loss, Badosa declared herself pleased with her campaign due to a persistent back problem. And after their match, Sabalenka had also praised her successful return to the WTA circuit.
“She came to say that she played three semi-finals before she won a title,” she said. “She was very proud of my improvement lately, especially with all I’ve been through. If I have to lose against somebody, of course I want to lose against the world No. 1 and against Aryna.”