Sabadosa reunion: Paula Badosa, Aryna Sabalenka practice in Montréal

FLASHBACK: Sabalenka and Badosa faced off in Stuttgart earlier this year, with Sabalenka narrowly winning in three sets.

Before there was Tsitsidosa, there was Sabadosa.

Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka made it clear that they’re still tour soulmates over the weekend, reuniting for a wholesome practice ahead of the Omnium Banque Nationale.

Badosa and Sabalenka have largely been apart in 2023 due to the former’s multiple struggles with injury, ruling her out of the first two majors of the season and forcing her to retire in the second round of Wimbledon. The Spaniard’s off-court life has nonetheless blossomed as she has entered a very public relationship with fellow player Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Sabalenka has enjoyed a career year in the meantime, winning her first major title at the Australian Open and reaching back-to-back semifinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Naturally, the pair have plenty to catch up on.

“If you look at her, you might think that she’s standoffish or self-involved, but she’s so different in reality!” Sabalenka said of her tour bestie last summer.

“She's super nice with a big heart and very humble,” Badosa added. “That's what I really like to see, players like that.”

While Badosa and Sabalenka have been an established pair, fans have noticed how much friendlier Daria Kasatkina and Jelena Ostapenko have become. Though contemporaries on the junior circuit, the two weren’t too friendly—at least according to Ostapenko, who famously gave a Mariah Carey “I don’t know her” when discussing their relationship in 2017.

What a difference a few years make! The two ended up on the same team for a friendly soccer game and perfected their Bryan Brothers chest bump in the process.

Might we see some of these friendly rivals face off on court in Canada?