Badosa on mindset after epic Indian Wells title win: "I have been through tough moments, I never stopped dreaming"

Paula Badosa battled to victory in the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells seeing off Victoria Azarenka in a final set tie break 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(2) after being two points from defeat at one point.

Badosa became the first Spanish woman in history to win Indian Wells defeating four top 20 players en route as she heads towards the top 10 in the world herself.

It continues the rise of the 23-year-old who over the past 12 months has become one of the best players on a strong WTA Tour.

“It was a really tough match. I think it was like a roller coaster mentally, emotionally. It was my first final in a 1000. I had a lot of emotions,” Badosa said.

“I was playing Vika. She’s a great champion. I admire her since I was a little girl, so that’s another thing.”

She added: “It was amazing. I’m still a little bit in shock that what happened right now. But in that moment I was super excited and super proud of what I did after three hours fighting on court.

“The first thing that I’ve learned this week is that nothing is impossible. If you fight, if you work, after all these years, you can achieve anything. That’s the first message that I see that could happen. And to dream. Sometimes you have tough moments. In my case, I have been through tough moments. I never stopped dreaming. That’s what kept me working hard and believing until the last moment.

“I’m very happy what’s happening. I’m a little bit still in shock what happened today because winning a tournament like this, it’s always been a dream.”