PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 20, 2023

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/C. Bucsa

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Great match today. Just talk us through your thoughts on what you did well today.

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I think I did pretty well almost everything. I played a very good match. She was a tricky opponent. We know each other since we were little girls. We grew up together.

I was expecting a tough match, so I'm really happy that I got the win today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Just performance-wise with your opening match and then obviously today, you're happy with the level that you're playing with. What do you think is clicking with you so far in Stuttgart?

PAULA BADOSA: I have been coming, working very hard the past months, to be honest. But as I always say, it wasn't going like my way. Especially I think this tournament I have been working on being very aggressive and going for it, and I think it's working.

So I'm really happy that, yeah, it's clicking now.

Q. Your two biggest titles were on hard court and you have tough clay court season last year. As far as I know, you grew up on clay. Your breakthrough was on clay. Your best result came at Roland Garros. I have to admit I double-checked on Wikipedia. The Germans say hard court is your best surface, or your favorite. The English say it's clay. I haven't checked the Spanish version yet. Maybe it says grass. But, no, can you clarify? Is clay still your favorite?

PAULA BADOSA: I don't know (smiling). Depends of the day maybe. No, but I like both. I like both. But if I have to choose, maybe clay. It's one of my favorite surface. I like to play on clay. I think my game can adapt on any surface, to be honest.

Yeah, I mean, as you said, I got my big breakthrough was on clay. Last year was a tough one, and I hope this year it's better than last one.

Q. You have got your good friend next with Aryna. Obviously it's become a running gag every time you guys see each other at tournaments and stuff, but in terms of practicing with her, playing with her as an opponent, what do you make of her game? What do you have that you feel like you can cause her problems?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, every time we play each other, it's a battle. It's very tough. She's playing unbelievable this year, to be honest. Being very aggressive, serving very well, returning amazing, very intense.

I think I just have to be there every point, be very competitive, try to be more aggressive than her, going before her the shots, and yeah, take the opportunity if I have it.

Q. Are you someone who can put aside friendships when you play...

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, yeah, sure. I mean, I have a very good relationship with a lot of them, and we put aside. In that moment we are very competitive. I think Aryna is the same. In that moment we are not friends. When the last ball finishes, then we are gonna be friends again (smiling).

Q. What are your goals for this season? It's back to top 10 or back to top 2, maybe No. 1?

PAULA BADOSA: Right now to be better every day, to enjoy the journey, focus on that, and I think the rankings and results will come after that, to be honest.

Q. Going back to the question about Aryna, I just recognized you are both playing with the small heart on the racquet right now. Can you tell us since when she also does it and what's the meaning of it?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I always played with a heart. So last year in Madrid we played doubles together, and I gave her one of mine. She was, like, This is Wilson?

I was, like, Yeah, it's Wilson. You have to ask for it.

After so that she's been playing with a heart. Yeah, she copied me, to be honest. (Laughter.)

Q. Just in terms of obviously her winning in Melbourne, just what was your kind of reaction to that? She's been a player that we all know had the ability to do that, but just as her friend and also as her colleague, what was your...

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I was very happy for her. We spent the preseason training together. It was a very good preseason in Dubai, and as well in the Dubai exhibition.

Yeah, I was following, to be honest, was the only player I was following in Australia because I was injured and it was tough for me to see.

Right after she won, I text her and I was very happy for her, because I know how much it mean and how much she struggled last year.

Yeah, and I know a little bit her story and the fighter she is, and I was really happy for her, to be honest.