MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 6, 2021

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

A. BARTY/P. Badosa

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you share with us, what does your remarkable run in Madrid mean for you and for your fans and country?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, it means a lot. It's been an amazing week. Very positive one. Today was a tough match. I think she played a very good level. She's very talented. She's an amazing player. I think she can't lose a match recently. Today I saw why. So congratulations to her.

Well, of course, I'm a little bit sad because losing. You never want to lose. After all this week, you never want this week finishes, you know? But, yeah, I have to say that I'm very happy.

Q. You left it all on the court. Is there anything you would have liked to have done differently, or is it that Ash took the match away from you?

PAULA BADOSA: No, I think all the credit's to her. She's an unbelievable player. Maybe I was missing a little bit too much. When you're playing a world No. 1, you need to play perfect.

But she played very good. I think it was a little bit her fault that I was making more mistakes because maybe I wanted to be a little bit more aggressive. So, yeah, she played very well. I wish her good luck for the next round.

Q. Looking ahead, how much does what you've been able to do, whether it was in Charleston or here in Madrid, impact how you will go into Roland Garros and maybe what your expectations are?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I think the expectations will be the same: like playing every match, trying to do the best every week. Of course, I will have more confidence, I think so (smiling).

I've been playing pretty good matches. I can't wait till Roland Garros. I have a few tournaments before that, as well. I'm with a lot of confidence. I really want already the tournament to start.

I think I won't be able to go to Rome because I play quallies there and it's day past tomorrow, so it's Saturday. I need to recover after all these emotions this week. I will get ready for the other tournaments.

Q. It sounds like you're hungry to get back on the court and play matches. How do you balance the idea of I'm playing great tennis, I want to play right now, versus I also want to be well-rested and prepared, be 100% for my favorite slam?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I think my it coach job. I was talking to him right now. I was saying, I want to go to Rome to play already Saturday.

He said, Calm down, you need to rest. It's been an amazing week.

Sometimes when it's your first experience like everything on my first semifinals, it's a little bit new for me. Mentally it's tough, as well.

I think the most smartest thing is to rest, to get ready with the other tournaments. I'll go to Belgrade, then I think Strasbourg, depends a little bit, then Roland Garros. I will try to play all the three tournaments because on clay I'm feeling well and I'm with confidence.