Paula Badosa famously defeated Victoria Azarenka in the final of BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells back in 2021 but it also started a friendship between the pair with them playing doubles previously.
Speaking to Marca, Badosa recalled that final and called the former World No.1 'an inspiration' on and off the court and that despite defeat, Azarenka made sure to make it about Badosa down to telling her to change her sweaty visor.
"It [Indian Wells title] gives me strength, motivates me, and inspires me. For me, she [Azarenka] is an inspiration on and off the track," she said as per Marca.
"After losing the final, as competitive as she is and with everything she has won in her career, she came up to tell me that my visor was very sweaty and that I should change it because those photos were going to go out all over the world."
"I remember that after winning, I fell to the ground and many things crossed my mind and at the same time, I went blank. It was weird. I was in shock," Badosa added.
Paula Badosa on Azarenka: “She’s an inspiration. After losing the Indian Wells final, as competitive as she is & with everything she’s won in her career, she came up to tell me my visor was very sweaty & I should change it bc those photos were going to go out all over the world”
