Australian Open 2025: Sabalenka playing ‘PlayStation tennis’, says Badosa after semifinal defeat 

Australian Open 2025: Sabalenka playing ‘PlayStation tennis’, says Badosa after semifinal defeat 

Paula Badosa said Aryna Sabalenka’s performance in beating her in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday was so good it was “like she’s playing a PlayStation”.

Belarusian world number one Sabalenka dismantled her close friend from Spain 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka is just one win away from a third Melbourne crown in a row and Badosa said that on the evidence of their match, there was no stopping her.

“Everything she was doing today, touching today, could become gold. I have nothing to say,” said the 11th-seeded Badosa.

“Of course credit to her, congratulations to her. She played the best match not even of the week — from the last months, for sure.

“If she plays like this, I mean, we can already give her the trophy.”

Badosa said she felt pretty much powerless in the face of the red-hot Sabalenka and her relentless game, and said it showed why she is the top-ranked women’s player.

“Sometimes you’re like, I don’t know, I’m just walking around the court because I feel like she’s playing a PlayStation.

“Today she was like that. So, sometimes I’m like, what’s happening? I don’t have time even to think.”

Badosa, 27, a former world number two who nearly quit tennis last year because of a back injury, was overall pleased with her efforts in reaching a maiden Grand Slam semifinal.

The two enjoyed some warm words afterwards.

“I was expecting of course, a good level, but maybe not that much,” Badosa said of the 26-year-old’s ruthless display.

“She came to say that she played three semifinals before she won a title and that she was very proud of my improvement lately, especially with all I’ve been through.”