Paula Badosa gets emotional in her speech after reaching Wimbledon R4 “It’s not my first time in 2nd week of a slam. But it’s the most special… A few months ago, I didn’t know if I’d be able to play tennis.” *Crowd goes WILD
(VIDEO) Paula Badosa can't hold back tears in reaching fourth round at Wimbledon months after near retirement
WTAFriday, 05 July 2024 at 19:12
Paula Badosa couldn't hold back the tears as she secured a landmark Last 16 run at Wimbledon reaching that point for the first time and also a milestone amid her recent injury travails which saw her mere months ago being close to retirement.
Badosa saw off Daria Kasatkina 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 earlier this afternoon and will face either Dayana Yastremska or Donna Vekic for a spot in the Quarter-Finals. She berated herself for crying calling it embarrassing but it shows how far she has come.
From needing injections to prolong her career and fearing it might be over to also crying her eyes out after multiple retirements as the injury took its toll, Badosa has massively turned it around and showed that she is still in the form that took her to World No.2. While not at her incredulous best, it shows that the never give up fighting spirit has worked and continues to do so.
"Against Dasha (Kasatkina), it’s always a battle, she’s just such a great player," Badosa said. "For me, it’s very special. I’ve been a few times before in second week of a Grand Slam, but I think this is the most special one, because a few months ago, I didn’t know if I could play tennis, so being here today is special."
"I will be so embarrassed of this video after, but it’s OK. You can see it (that it means a lot) - I think I appreciate being every minute on court.
"One of the reasons why I come back is for you guys. Being on court, and hearing my name - I really feel the love."
"Last year here I had to retire,' Badosa said after the match. 'Then it took me ten months. I was on the couch and watching the tournaments from home. Also this year, when I started the year, I didn't know what was going to happen. Like, the doctors were telling me I couldn't maybe continue.
"For me, I've always been very tough mentally and a fighter, so I was going to do it anyway. So for me, I'm very proud that I've been through all of this. And now that I'm, again, in the fourth round and playing good level again, because sometimes also when I came back at the beginning of the year and struggling so much, my level wasn't there. I feel myself so far away. Now seeing myself back at it, it means a lot."
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