THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 2, 2022

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/P. Kvitova

7-5, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Paula, give us your thoughts on your match today.

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I'm really happy with the win today. I think I played almost a perfect match. I was expecting Petra playing an amazing match as well. I think it was a big challenge to play against her on grass, but I'm really happy with the win today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I'm curious, how did you rate your chances going into this match? Did you feel good about it? I think a lot of people were looking at Petra as she's won here before. What did you think before the match, and now after the match after beating her, what do you think you can do in the second week?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I knew it was going to be a very tough one. I knew maybe at the beginning she has a more better game to play on grass than me. But I like these kind of challenges. I said the other day that I had the game to be dangerous here, as well. I was really looking forward to play against her. I think I played pretty well.

Yeah, I faced the match pretty well, as well. So I'm really happy about that.

Yeah, maybe at the beginning it was, like, I don't know, 60/40 for her, but I like to prove peoples wrong and I like these kind of challenges, so I'm happy.

Q. How do you feel about the second week?

PAULA BADOSA: I don't know. I have a very tough draw. It's like I'm playing Grand Slam champions every match. But still, I like these kind of matches.

I played Simona in Madrid. I think she played unbelievable in that match. I hope she doesn't play like that next one against me. I think she likes to play against me. I think my game, she likes to play against players like that.

Well, I will try to face the match different and let's see how it goes.

Q. This is the first year at Wimbledon without the middle Sunday. What are your thoughts on that tradition going away? What was your favorite part?

PAULA BADOSA: I don't know what's that tradition. What is it?

Q. You didn't play on the Sunday. There was no play on Sunday.

PAULA BADOSA: Okay, I don't know. I have to rest Sunday so I don't really care about that. I don't know, I think it's okay to play one day and one day not. Yeah, I don't know about this tradition, sorry.

Q. What sort of targets did you set yourself coming into Wimbledon this year? Do you think you're on track to meet those or have you already surpassed them?

PAULA BADOSA: No, my main goal was to try to find that competitive Paula again. I think these last tournaments were very tough for me mentally. I just wanted to compete, to find that fighting spirit, and to try to win as many matches as possible, try to enjoy on court.

I think, yeah, these three matches, first match was tough for me, but I think I'm getting into it. Today I think I showed, again, my game and my fighting spirit.

Q. The other day you said you think you've had every kind of COVID. You had it in Australia. How many more times have you had it?

PAULA BADOSA: One more. I had it one more. I don't know, I was sick, as well. I had to retire in Miami. I tested, it wasn't COVID, but I felt like a little bit as well, so I count it as well. If you want to put two or three, yeah. I had vaccination, so I'm covered, I think.

Q. How did it feel getting so much support on Centre Court from the crowd?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, to be honest, I was really surprised because I'm playing against Petra, I think she has a lot of fans. Her game, I think in Wimbledon she won two times. I wasn't expecting that many people cheering for me.

So I was really surprised and really pleased and grateful for that. I like it, to hear my name on these tough moments. I think that gives me an extra motivation when I play.