SYDNEY TENNIS CLASSIC

January 12, 2022

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/A. Tomljanovic

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: That was a really entertaining match out there with Ajla. How did it feel for you?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, it was a tough one. I was expecting a tough match. I know she's a fighter and she's been playing good last year. She's been having very good wins.

I knew it was going to be a physical match, as well. I'm really happy that I could get through the match. I felt quite well there.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. What was the part of the match today or tonight that was the most important for you?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I think the most important on these matches is mentally how I'm getting through them. I know that maybe now I'm playing as a favorite, so it's never easy and it's a new situation for me.

Yeah, I think sticking in there and fighting every point no matter how is the match going, that's the thing that I'm most proud of.

Q. 2021 sort of was a strange year for you, like two halves. The way it started with the COVID and all that, and then the way it finished with you and Vika playing the best women's match of the year. What do you think turned things around for you last year?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, that's one of the parts that I'm more excited to be playing here in Australia, because last year I didn't have the chance.

About the other things, I think it was a process. I was playing better day by day. I was working very hard. I was feeling I was having the level. Maybe I wasn't winning at the beginning of the year big matches, but I had the level and I was working very hard. Finally I had an amazing run in Indian Wells, and I could show my level there.

Q. Do you think there was one particular match last year that you felt clicked it for you?

PAULA BADOSA: Totally. I think against Barty in Charleston. When you win a No. 1, you think you can win any match. So that gives you self-confidence and belief.

So that's a little bit what happened to me. When I won against her, I felt that I could do big things in tennis.

Q. Looking ahead to tomorrow, obviously we don't know who you're going to play. Do you think for you it will be maybe a bit of an advantage because you've already played? They're going to have to play two matches.

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, of course. I already won, and they have to finish the match. So in that part, maybe I will have a little bit more of advantage. It depends a little bit of the result. Maybe it's one game, or maybe it's going to be one hour. It depends on that, as well.

Let's see. Let's see who it is. I expect there is all tough matches right now. I think starting the year, I have new goals, new challenges, and yeah, let's see how it goes.