By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, March 20, 202
Typically, a heart-felt hug from a great pal generally is a life preserver for a participant in ache.
Shut pals Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka have shared success collectively and leaned on one another throughout powerful instances.
Extra: Aryna Sabalenka’s Boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov Has Died at 42
After they face off within the Miami Open second spherical, it would doubtless be probably the most emotional encounter between the pair.
The match will probably be Sabalenka’s first since her boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, died at age 42 by “obvious suicide” early Monday morning, the Miami-Dade Police mentioned.
World No. 2 Sabalenka remains to be within the Miami Open draw and scheduled to play Badosa, who has been a caring and anxious presence for her pal throughout a horrific time.
Badosa mentioned her major concern is Sabalenka’s well-being: She does not need her pal to undergo.
“She’s one in all my greatest pals,” Badosa informed the media in Miami. “Yesterday I spoke along with her a variety of time. This morning the identical. So I do know what she’s going via. I do know the complete state of affairs, what is going on.
“That for me is just a little bit stunning additionally to undergo that as a result of on the finish she’s my greatest pal and I do not need her to undergo. It is a very powerful state of affairs.”
It is an unprecedented state of affairs as effectively.
Two good pals, who’ve had one another’s backs for years, now set to face off days after the ache of private tragedy.
Although the web will divide them for a match, their deep friendship will bond them.
It is one other agonizing tragedy for Sabalenka. 5 years in the past, Sabalenka’s beloved father, Sergey, handed away at age 43 in 2019.
On this fifth assembly between the buddies, Badosa will probably be a compassionate competitor.
“I do not actually know what to say. I imply, she’s one in all my greatest pals,” Badosa mentioned. “In fact, I do know what she’s going via. Actually, for me hasn’t been simple, too.
“I actually do not know what to say, truthfully. She’s a powerful lady. I feel she is going to get the facility from someplace. I hope it’ll be a battle, a great match, and let’s examine.”
Photograph credit score: Robert Prange/Getty
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