ROLAND GARROS

June 8, 2021

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

T. ZIDANSEK/P. Badosa

7-5, 4-6, 8-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. That was a really tough match, long match. Can you just sort of try and sum up how you're feeling right now?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, it was a tough one. I think she played a good match. I didn't feel myself in the whole match. I'm a little bit sad about that, because I think I played maybe the worst match of the tournament and of the clay season, but sometimes it's like that.

I think I was very nervous. I couldn't control the nerves during the entire match. But at least I fight until the last moment and I had my chances. But, well, credit to her.

Q. You have had a really successful clay court season with lots of wins and a title. When you look back at your achievements on clay this season, what are you most proud of?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, of a lot of things. I think I improved a lot on all the aspects. I won my first title. That's quite special. I was chasing that from long time ago.

I think I played a lot of matches. I won a lot of matches on clay. I think that gives me confidence for the rest of the year as well.

Q. You said you were nervous. Were you really nervous this morning before you played? Was there anything else you think you could have done to change the match?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I was nervous in the morning. I was nervous yesterday night. It's complicated the first time when you're in a quarterfinals. When you want it so, so much, maybe sometimes it's a little bit too much, and I was putting a little bit too much pressure on myself. I think that's a little bit the next time, if I have another opportunity like this, I will try to change.

But, yeah, maybe I could change the way that I went into the match. Of course the nerves are always there, but I think today was a little bit too much.

Q. You talk about the nerves there. Six of the eight quarterfinalists have never made a slam quarterfinal before. Did that maybe add to the nerves that it was such an open tournament?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, maybe a little bit, but I don't know. I wasn't thinking about that. I was thinking about today, and I wanted to win so much that maybe being like this wasn't helping me.

But, well, I think the good part is that I fight until the last moment, even though that I wasn't feeling my best tennis.

Q. You told us that you think that 80% of tennis is in the head and the mindset. How hard is it just to relax and also not think sometimes, especially the situation that the players are in now when you are in a bubble and you've got lots of time and not much to do?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, yeah, it's 80% mental, and, well, you could see it today as well. Sometimes is it in a positive way, I can do it a positive way, that's why I won matches, and today it's a little bit the other part that I didn't know how to manage the nerves.

But, yeah, no, I don't think the bubble, does it affect that. Without the bubble you're like all day in the tournament as well and you don't stop. Sometimes the only different thing is that you have time to go to dinner outside. But the other things don't change so much.

Q. You're obviously very comfortable on clay. What about grass? How excited are you to move quickly to Wimbledon, and what do you expect from yourself on grass?

PAULA BADOSA: I quite like playing on grass as well. Well, I think two years ago I played quite well. I feel good there as well with the serve and being aggressive, and I can't wait for the grass season to come.

I'm not gonna play that much tournaments because maybe I'm gonna play maximum one and Wimbledon. It goes like that. Of course at the beginning of the clay season I wasn't expecting all these matches, but I need to rest a little bit to get ready.

But, yeah, I'm looking forward to it.