"A year ago I didn't know if I had to retire from the sport": Paula Badosa advances to Australian Open semi-finals in full circle moment

World No. 11 Paula Badosa advanced to the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the first time on Tuesday morning after defeating No. 3 Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4. After the match, the Spaniard shared her emotions after making it into the top four at the Australian Open.

Badosa is in the semifinals of the Australian Open. The Spaniard played brilliant tennis against a complicated rival as the American Coco Gauff, last champion of the WTA Finals. The Spaniard was very firm and determined at all times, and put pressure on her rival, capitalizing on every mistake made and hitting the ball with everything she had.

After the match, Badosa was interviewed on the court about what this achievement meant to her and this is what she had to say.

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"I'm a bit emotional," said the 27-year-old Badosa. I'm a very emotional person. I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it. I'm super-proud of the level I gave today."

"I mean, a year ago I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport. I thought about stopping when I was doing injections because they told me I had to do max three a year, and I was already on my second one in the fourth month of the year.

"It was pretty bad for me and also the back was still hurting. So in that moment I really didn't know what to do. After my home tournament in Madrid it was very tough for me. A mix of back, mentally, and everything."

"I'm in a semi-final, I would never think that a year after I would be here."

Later, ESPN Latin America's Mariana Diaz Oliva also had the opportunity to talk with Paula:

"I have tried to evade a little bit of everything, learn from past mistakes where in important moments I have been guilty of being more defensive and today I tried to be more offensive, I am proud to have been able to achieve it."

"We know each other very well. At the beginning we were playing at a very high level and it was difficult to overflow us. There was a moment when she hesitated more and I could see it. She has such a good backhand that she tried to play the diagonal from forehand to forehand that I feel more comfortable with, and when I was switching to her backhand I tried to make it very fast so she couldn't attack me. Always a very tactical match against Coco," said Badosa, analyzing the match strategy;

Regarding a possible showdown with the world No. 1 in the semifinals, Paula stated, "With Aryna we have played many times in the past, but I was not the same player I am now. She is the world No. 1 and it will be very tough, but I think I am ready for that challenge."

In addition to advancing to the semifinals of a major for the first time, Paula Badosa secured her return to the WTA top 10, how far will she go in Melbourne?

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