In the world of women’s tennis, rivalries are the lifeblood of drama. But every once in a while, a potential friendship emerges that captures the imagination — and this time, fans are buzzing with a burning question: Do we need Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka to be besties? Short answer: Yes. Yes, we absolutely do.
Social media went into overdrive this week after footage from behind the scenes at a promotional event surfaced showing Coco and Aryna sharing laughs, exchanging playful jabs, and—wait for it—posing for a selfie together. It was pure serotonin. Fans immediately dubbed the moment the birth of “#Gabelenka,” and the internet is now fully invested in this potential power duo.
Let’s break it down: Gauff is the poised, quick-witted American sweetheart with a killer backhand and Gen Z energy. Sabalenka is the Belarusian powerhouse known for her booming serve, fierce attitude, and laugh that could shake stadium walls. On paper, they’re total opposites. But that’s exactly why this odd-couple friendship works.
The two have always respected each other professionally, but this is the first time we’ve seen such clear signs of camaraderie. A few eagle-eyed fans noticed Gauff liking a string of Sabalenka’s recent Instagram posts, and Aryna even dropped a fire emoji on one of Coco’s vacation pics. In tennis speak, that’s basically a friendship bracelet.
Fans are here for it. “Imagine these two on a doubles team. The world wouldn’t be ready,” one X user posted. Another added, “Coco and Aryna giving big ‘main character energy’ together. Make it official already!”
What’s more refreshing is that this isn’t a manufactured friendship for PR purposes. It feels real — two elite athletes navigating fame, pressure, and success on their own terms, finding joy and humor in each other’s company. In an era where tennis feuds and cold shoulders dominate headlines, a high-profile friendship like this is exactly the kind of wholesome content the sport could use.
And who wouldn’t want to see them sharing playlists, roasting each other’s outfits, or going live from a tournament hotel room? Gauff and Sabalenka together are chaos, comedy, and charisma in one fierce package.
So yes, we do need Coco and Aryna to become besties. For the memes, for the good vibes, and for the ultimate doubles dream team we never knew we wanted. Someone call Netflix — Break Point: Best Friend Edition starts now.
