BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 6, 2023

Anabel Medina Garrigues

Paula Badosa

Cristina Bucsa

Rebeka Masarova

Sara Sorribes Tormo

Marina Bassols Ribera

Team Spain

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Good morning. Buenos dias. Welcome to the press conference for the Spanish team. We will start with English questions first.

Q. A couple of brief ones for Paula. First of all, churros, I think on social media, first of all, how were they for you but also for Stefanos?

PAULA BADOSA: They were good. They were good. We had a good breakfast, and we enjoyed a little bit Seville, the city. I think it's a beautiful one. And as well to have time to disconnect before starting, it's always important.

Q. A question for Anabel. Could you say a few words for how special it is for this week to be here in Spain, and for you guys playing in your home country?

CAPTAIN ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES: Sorry, I didn't hear. You're asking me?

Q. Yes. Could you say a few words how special it is for the team to play in Seville on home soil this week?

CAPTAIN ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES: Well, we were talking that it's super special. Since I'm captain, we played, like, 14 ties and we could play only at home 3. This is our fourth. So is super special to play at home.

I always say that this competition, to stay at home or away is super important. So being at home is nice. All the public is going to be with us. We're going to play in front of our family, our friends, and also of course all of Spain.

When we were playing around Spain, it was special, but here in the south we have really nice memories. We were playing in Marbella the tie before that we win. So qualify for here in Seville is unbelievable. The city is I think one of the most beautiful cities of Spain.

We are ready to play, to enjoy, and to try our best.

Q. Paula, could you just give us an update how you're feeling physically? Are you without pain now and completely ready to play, or is it still a step-by-step process?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, it's been a long journey until here. When I saw we were playing in a Spain, that was an extra motivation for me, also.

I'm feeling good. I don't feel the pain, so that's very important. I'm really looking forward to start here, to play in front of my home crowd. I think it's something very special, as well.

Yeah, let's see Wednesday, but I'm really looking forward to that.

Q. I'm wondering, you have spoken about how hard it's been during this injury layoff, but I was wondering whether there is anything you feel like you have gained a sense of perspective at all? Normally you're playing tournaments all the time. Being able to have a break, has that in some way been helpful and you might be able to use some of that next season?

PAULA BADOSA: For sure. I mean, as I said, I had to learn a lot of patience, that's for sure, but I missed it a lot because I love to compete, I love tennis. I was following still tennis in another way, as you guys know. So that as well was very helpful.

But of course now maybe I see it in another perspective. I see that of course tennis is my life, it's my passion, but it's not everything, you know. So that's a little bit as well what I learned. I have been doing other stuff. I think that's a nice part as well that I got to know for myself.

So it was a journey and a time that I learned other stuff and it was nice, too.