Paula
Badosa talked about the pressure of expectations on her at a young age. The
Spaniard acknowledged that she was mentally unprepared, but that it also helped
build her into a stronger tennis player.
The
26-year-old tennis player burst onto the scene in 2015 by becoming the French
Open junior women's champion. Badosa reached No. 8 on the junior circuit and
four years later was already in the top-100 on the professional Tour. In 2021,
she won the most important title of her career in Indian Wells, her only WTA
1000 title so far and which later allowed her to reach world No. 2.
Badosa battles expectations
Badosa's
meteoric career was cut short when she was at No. 2. Little by little the
Spaniard began to accumulate defeats and an irregular form, which added to
injuries derailed her career. In 2022 he dropped out of the top-10 and missed
the second half of the season in 2023, making him just world No. 140.
The
Spaniard seems to be getting out of trouble, after showing a good level at the
Rome Open, with wins over players like Mirra Andreeva (No. 38) and Emma Navarro (No.
22). Badosa lost to Coco Gauff (No. 3) in a Round of 16 and lost points as she was
defending last year's quarterfinals. The bright side for Badosa is that for the
rest of the season she does not defend points and all the wins will help her to
grow in the rankings.
Badosa
recently answered an interview with the Youtube channel Georgy Tennis, in which
she commented on the expectations on her, especially considering her origin in
Spain: “There were a lot of expectations on me, especially in Spain, where I
was expected to be the next Top 10, the next star, but I was not mentally
prepared to face all that,” she said.
Badosa at 2023 Rome Open
"I
suffered a lot for two years, I remember that I was in a very dark moment in
which I did not see the light. Thanks to that, I am the person I am today, the
fighter that I am, that made me stronger," Badosa added.
The
Spaniard added that one of her qualities on the court is her fighting spirit
and she hopes people recognize her for that. Badosa also mentioned that she
comes with good confidence to Roland Garros: “I always give my 100% on the
court, and that's what I want to show the whole world, that no matter how I
play that day, I will fight until the end,” she said."
Roland
Garros has always been a special tournament for me, I like to play on clay, I
feel quite good. It always depends a little on the draw, you never know, but I
think that if I am healthy and train well these days, I can play against
anyone," Paula Badosa said in the interview with Georgy Tennis.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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