Aryna Sabalenka has revealed her hope for Paula Badosa following her first round exit in Madrid.
Sabalenka and Badosa are best friends on the WTA Tour, and have both been ranked inside the top five.
The Belarusian is still the world number one, but Badosa has recently fallen outside the top 100 after poor form and struggles for fitness.
Despite having Sabalenka in her player’s box in Madrid, Badosa suffered her fourth consecutive defeat, as well as a career-first against Julia Grabher.
Aryna Sabalenka has message for Paula Badosa after Madrid Open disappointment
Badosa had two set points in the first set against Grabher, but was unable to take it after losing it in a tie-break.
The Spaniard won the second set, before Badosa emphatically lost the deciding set to Grabher, who won 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-0.
This is the first time that Badosa has lost a set 6-0 in the main draw of the WTA Tour.
Sabalenka has not played a match at the Madrid Open yet as a seeded player, but was asked about Badosa in her pre-tournament press conference.
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The four-time Grand Slam champion revealed that she had already spoken to Badosa, and was always willing to offer advice and support if she needed it.
“We just talked right now, in the locker room, and she knows I’m here for her whenever she needs it,” said Sabalenka. “We’re going to dinner today and we’ll talk a lot more.
“I always try to help her as much as I can, I give her advice, but I also like to give her time. She knows that whenever she asks me for something, I will be there, and I hope she returns to the top because I feel that it is where she should be, where she belongs. I always wish her the best.”
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With Badosa now being ranked outside the top 100, it means that she is now in a difficult position ahead of the French Open.
The French Open entry list was released last week, when Badosa was ranked as the world number 106.
As a result of this ranking, Badosa is five places outside the main draw for the French Open this year.
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Badosa will require five withdrawals if she is to enter the French Open main draw or she could have to play Grand Slam qualifying for the first time since 2019.
The former world number two is next scheduled to compete at the Italian Open, where Badosa will also have to play in qualifying.
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