BNP PARIBAS OPEN

October 11, 2021

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/C. Gauff

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Paula, can you tell us about your match tonight.

PAULA BADOSA: Well, the conditions were tough today. It was a tough day. A lot of wind. I knew I had to stay very solid. That's what I did. Try not to, like, go for it like that much on the lines. I started to play more in the middle, quite hard there.

I think I did it and it went quite well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. In coming up against Coco, what were you expecting? Were you surprised by the outcome?

PAULA BADOSA: I know she's an amazing player. She's going to be even better. But, yeah, I played her doubles, so more or less I know what I could find today. I know she has an amazing serve. I knew I had to be pretty solid on mine as well. An amazing backhand. She's very athletic as well. So I was expecting a tough match.

I know the conditions today were tough. Sometimes when you don't feel you have good feelings from the beginning, sometimes it's tough. I think that's what happen to her. I played quite well. I stayed very focused and solid, and I think that was the key of the match.

Q. You hit a career high with your ranking. What do you believe is most improved in your game at this point?

PAULA BADOSA: I think a bit of everything. Mentally I did have a big step ahead. My tennis is improving day by day. Physically I did a big change, as well. I'm moving faster. It's a little bit of everything. Confidence as well. Everything is helping. I'm believing in myself. I think it's a big change.

Q. You've played in different conditions in the two matches, but have adapted. What is the confidence level like looking ahead?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I feel confidence. I know now I'm going to have a tough match. But still I think I played two tough matches. Today was tough. But it was more mentally, adapting to the conditions. It was a very windy day. At the beginning I didn't have it clear at all. But I played quite solid. I think that was pretty much the tactic today, try to be intense and solid, and that's what I did.

Q. You'll face either Krejcikova or Anisimova. Talk about the challenges of facing both.

PAULA BADOSA: Barbora, we are very good friends. We practice a lot. We played as well. She's doing an amazing year. She's a very talented player, so I know it's going to be a very, very tough match.

Amanda, she's amazing player. She has good shots, goes for it every point.

They're different players, but I know both of them, it's going to be a tough one.

Q. What is the confidence level or impact of doing what you did here at Indian Wells, how good does it feel to post a result like this?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, it feels good. After US Open, all September, I didn't play that much. I was struggling a little bit with my shoulder. It was tough, so I didn't play a lot of matches. Sometimes you have a little bit of doubts.

But here I've been practicing very well. I'm happy that I'm through the fourth round. It's important for me. As well, the big changes I had of my coaching. It was tough as well. It's tough situations that I'm passing and I'm proud of myself.

Q. On the change in coaching, what was the decision making there? What are you looking forward to setting up your team for the next season?

PAULA BADOSA: It was a change that came from one day to another. It was tough because I had to play the U.S. swing alone. So it was tough for me.

But finally I'm with my new coach. He was my coach before when I was 15 years old. We were talking before that my first (indiscernible) WTA I won with him a long time ago when I was 15 years old. He knows me a lot.

We have a good relationship and that's important. He's helping me and I'm happy with my decision.