Days after caressing the semifinals of Roland Garros, Paula Badosa (New York, USA; 1997) attend THE SPANISH since Marbella to reflect after close the best months of his career with a fantastic clay tour in which he has overcome several challenges: his first victory against a world number one (against the australiana Barty), your first title (Charleston) and his first quarterfinals of Grand Slam (Roland Garros), which escaped him for a couple of details.
How is it going?
I’m fine, with mixed emotions. On the one hand, annoyed by what happened the other day because it was an opportunity and I was very close to winning the game; on the other, proud of the path traveled throughout the clay court tour. I’m also a bit tired, of course. I’m still sad because a few days ago I was playing in Paris and with good options to reach the semifinals, but very happy because I gave absolutely everything.
Have you had time to analyze the reasons for the defeat?
Honestly, I think she controlled her nerves better, she was calmer throughout the game. I had more ups and downs, I did not know how to manage the pressure well, The desire to reach the semifinals hurt me a little.
He must regret playing for Philippe Chatrier for the first time …
I noticed. It was my first time, but I also had high expectations and I didn’t know how to control it well. Apart from that, she played at a great level and I am convinced that she will finish the year very high in the standings.
Have you received many messages these days?
I have received many positive messages, yes. My close environment was very proud. I also have to thank all the fans who support me unconditionally through thick and thin. Since I have been training with Javi, I have quickly completed a process that has led me to play very well, playing tournament finals and even winning my first title.
Are you surprised how fast everything has gone?
It does surprise me. I’ve been struggling for a long time and possibly hadn’t been right with my environments. With Javi I have made a spectacular team, working from the beginning. He has given me a great work group: my physical trainer, my physiotherapist … I feel that they support me every hour of the day. This is very important. Javi has always believed in me a lot, he has never stopped having faith. From the first moment he told me that the results would come if I worked hard, and I have to agree with him.
What were you looking for when you called in September of last year?
Enjoy again on the track. I had taken the step of being among the top 100, but that was still difficult for me and I was far from many things. I have always sinned a lot of hitting the ball very well, although I was not made as a tennis player. That is the most important thing we have achieved: to put myself physically like an athlete and mentally prepare for the most tense matches, like the ones I have overcome in Madrid, Belgrade or Roland Garros. Tennis has also progressed in many aspects, both technical and tactical.
That physical change has been very noticeable in his appearance, especially since Charleston.
Yes, and I notice it a lot, especially on the track and when it comes to recovering. I have been working very well since the preseason, but perhaps it was not seen as much for the month I was stopped in Australia after testing positive for covid-19. It took me a long time to recover and I felt like I had lost my shape a bit, but I kept pushing myself and the change started to show a lot in Charleston.
You won Junior Roland Garros in 2015, but up to the current point you’ve been through a lot of tough times. Afraid of getting lost?
I’ve been through that stage for quite some time. I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, I was having a hard time because I wasn’t hitting the people around me. I was not able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together and I was afraid of getting lost. We have seen many players who excelled when they were young, but then they have not been able to make the leap to professionalism. I was afraid that the same thing would happen to me.
What do you want to do now?
I have rested a couple of days in Marbella and I am already training again, although I will do it here. Sometimes. it is important to be in a comfortable place and Marbella is ideal for that.
Feel like playing on grass?
I like. I felt comfortable when I played a couple of years ago. It’s going to be a very short tour because I’m only going to play two tournaments. On grass you never know why it can go very well or the other way around. I like the surface and I am looking forward to playing another Grand Slam. Hopefully I can have another opportunity like the one at Roland Garros to learn from failures.
After Paris, the normal thing is that he no longer has the surprise factor when he hits the track …
Now I have to learn to be a favorite when it touches me. It is the next step to work mentally. I was in a different situation until recently, and that’s my turn. I hope to overcome it to continue growing.
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