QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 20, 2022

Paula Badosa

Flash Interview

Q. You have had an incredible 2021 season. Tell us if that is part of the benchmark you've set for yourself moving forward and what your goals are here in Doha.

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I think last year I had a very good year. I got a lot of matches, a lot of experience. It was a little bit of roller coaster but a very positive year.

Of course I'm starting the year and it's another thing. It's a new year, so of course I started as a different ranking. Of course maybe now I'm playing as a favorite, so I'm having this kind of challenge this year.

But I always will have a challenge, and it's nice to be in this position. I'm really looking forward to play here, to play tough matches. Not even here. Next tournaments I think that's what I play for and to play big tournaments, to be in the final rounds.

I'm working for that, so I'm really looking forward to that and I'm motivated of this season.

Q. This being a new week here, what are your reflections on last week and what you'd like to focus on?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, well, to be honest, on that, I think of course all the matches are tough and that you can lose against anyone because the level is very high.

But maybe here I'm going to be a little bit tough. Of course I'm not happy that in the same swing, they are changing the conditions a lot, like for example the balls. I think that's tough, because when you are playing, for example in Australia, we play with the same conditions all the tournaments. And of course if they win me or if they play well, I just have to say, Too good.

But when they change in the same swing and they change the conditions every time, it's tougher for us, for the players. Of course maybe I'm the only one saying it, but I'm not the only one thinking it. It's something that maybe we will have to start thinking about, because changing every tournament the balls or the conditions, it's already pretty tough for us to handle a lot of things that if we have to handle things, extra things, it's not easy for us.

Q. What are your impressions here just being in Doha? What are your thoughts?

PAULA BADOSA: Really nice. As I said on the last question, here it's different. I think it's the same conditions as Australia, as well.

So for me, I have an opinion that maybe we will have to play with maybe same balls, for example, the entire year or at least on the same courts. For clay, one balls; for hard court, one balls; for indoor. Because if not, it's getting very tough.

But as I said, here in Qatar, the balls are as I played in Australia, and of course anything can happen, but at least the things that are not in your control are a little bit better.

I'm feeling better. I think I have been here for three days. I'm getting adapt on the conditions, and I'm really looking forward to start here.

Q. Just in terms of being off court and being in the city, what are your impressions?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, very nice. My first time here in Doha. I wasn't expecting Doha like this, to be honest. I'm really surprised. It's a very beautiful city, very calm. I really love it. I'm really enjoying Doha, and for sure I will be back here because I love this tournament.