"It's important to share this message" says Indian Wells winner Paula Badosa on depression

It's been a slow and steady rise for Badosa in 2021 with the Spaniard playing better as the year went on. She won her maiden title in Belgrade this year and after that, she dazzled many with her performances at the French Open. A solid run at the Olympics was halted by heatstroke but after that Badosa continued working and the crowning moment came yesterday in Indian Wells.

It has not been cinderella like always for Badosa who has been open about her mental health struggles and bouts with depression. She recalled those times once more saying:

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"The Depression? It is important to share this message, I see that other athletes have also been through and are going through this moment, I am not the only one who has suffered from depression. We are in a very tough sport and depression is really hard but it happens often here."

She also touched upon how she deal with those thoughts when they do arise saying:

"When I'm sad I think about situations like these and those that I will live. I can't believe it and now I will be in the final after having challenged champions like Kerber or Azarenka in tennis. I won a lot and I know she is a very tough opponent to beat, it will be difficult but I like this type of challenge."