WTA FINALS

November 9, 2021

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Paula, last night was your first experience, draw ceremony and gala. What did you think of it all?

PAULA BADOSA: It was different. So, yeah, was my first time. It was fun. As I always say, as well, I'm lucky to share with the best players in the world. We have good relationship between us, so it makes even more fun. I had a good time with all of them. It was nice. It was nice.

We had a little bit emotional part. It was exciting. So I'm very happy and proud to be here.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When did you arrive? What do you think about the court situation as far as speed of the court, how the ball is flying through the air? Is it reminiscent of Indian Wells at all?

PAULA BADOSA: Yes, I arrived few days ago to adapt. It's difficult to adapt. The ball flies a lot. It's not like Indian Wells. Maybe it could be a little bit similar because it bounces, but nothing. You can't even compare. Here it's very tough to have control of the ball. As I said, it flies a lot.

I'm trying to adapt the game a little bit, but it's tough conditions. The good part is that it's the same conditions for all of us, so...

Q. Is the court fast or slow?

PAULA BADOSA: I think it's slow. It's inter-medium, maybe slow. The thing is the ball flies so much, doesn't even care how the court is (smiling).

Q. How much were you able to decompress, relax, celebrate after Indian Wells? Did you feel like you were able to savor that accomplishment before getting here? What is your mindset and where are you at as you're about to play the Finals?

PAULA BADOSA: To be honest I didn't relax so much. I had maybe 10 days after Indian Wells, then to come here. 10, maybe two weeks. I don't remember. It was quite stressful. I know it was my first time winning a big tournament, so a lot of new things. It was quite stressful at home, as well.

Maybe I remember having one Sunday off, completely relaxed after 10 days. I was like, Okay, now I can relax and maybe celebrate a little bit. But it was tough. I had to do a lot of things. It was a big change. But I know it's like that.

Here I'm with my family, as well. I brought people just to enjoy. Of course, I'm working hard. I think last tournament of the year, I had a very intense one, I wanted to try to do both things. After here I need to, like, calm a little bit, at least one week, think about everything that have happened.

Q. One of the things that's happened since Indian Wells is that you've made your top 10 debut, a big feat as well. Starting the year you were one of the three players at the Finals who was in the hard quarantine in Melbourne. All of you have been able to navigate that. When you look at the fact you are one of the 10 best players in the world, what does that mean to you? When you look back on your season, how do you think you did it?

PAULA BADOSA: It means a lot. I will try not to get emotional, but I've been through a lot. I'm very proud of myself. I think I did a very good year. It always has been a dream to me to be in top 10, one of the best players in the world. Now it's coming true.

Yeah, at the beginning of the year I remember having a conversation with my coach after Abu Dhabi, my first tournament. He said, You keep playing like this, for sure you're going to get the top 30.

I was like, That's impossible to finish the year top 30. Top 50, I can sign here (smiling).

Imagine I finished the year top 10. What can I say? Yeah, I didn't even expect it. Even less expected to be here in the WTA Finals.

Q. What are your thoughts on your group?

PAULA BADOSA: It's a tough one. What can I say? I knew I was going to have a tough group. They're all amazing players. I know I'm opening with Aryna. She's No. 2 in the world, one of the favorites here. I know it's going to be a tough one.

All of them, they're playing well. The others in the group, they can adapt quite well in altitude. It's going to be a tough group but I'm ready for it.