MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 19, 2024

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/S. Halep

1-6, 6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Paula, do you want to give us your initial thoughts on your match today.

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I mean, I said it on court, but it has been a really tough one mentally - especially mentally - because I really respect Simona. The last two battles, matches, wasn't even a battle honestly. I don't know what I'm saying. The last two matches against Simona were really tough mentally.

Today I know even that for me she hasn't been playing since long time, for me was the same because she's still Simona Halep.

Yeah, I'm really happy that I got the win and could fight until the end, and mentally I could get through that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You mentioned the last couple of matches with Simo, tough losses for you. After you lose the first set here the way that you did, what was the key to kind of being able to turn that around not just mentally, but tactically?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I had a game plan, but I think she's one of the opponents I never want to see, want to play against, because she likes to play against me and she knows what to do. So that's why I said it was really, really mental.

When I lost the first set, I was like I don't want to do this again. I just tried to stay aggressive, to believe that you can do it. I was keep saying that internally. It worked.

I mean, I was set, 2-1, almost break point down also. I'm really happy that I could get through that. Especially I'm not in my best confidence because I've been long time out with injury. For me, it's a very good win.

Q. Next game against Sabalenka, you know each other very well, a very horrible situation to be dealing with. Your thoughts about that game really?

PAULA BADOSA: I don't really know what to say. I mean, she's one of my best friends. Of course, I know what she's going through. Honestly, for me hasn't been easy, too.

I really don't know what to say, honestly. She's a strong woman. I think she will get the power from somewhere. I hope it's going to be a battle, a good match, and let's see.

Q. Considering the time away that Simona has had, and you also going up and down with injuries, when the draw was done and you saw that was your first round, what crossed your mind?

PAULA BADOSA: I didn't like it at all. I mean, I'm going to be honest. Even if Simona is 10 years without competing, she's still Simona. She's a big player. She's win so many titles. I respect her so much.

I mean, today I was impressed. I think she's going to be back on the top very soon. These kind of players, you can never doubt about them because they've been great champions.

Q. Your next match with Sabalenka, talking about the matchup, it's a close friend, you've maybe practiced together, do you think you know her game and will be able to go into that match with a little bit more information?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I mean, we know each other very well. I know what she's going to do. She knows what I'm going to do. Nothing will surprise us.

I think that kind of matches is who is playing better in that moment and who goes for the shots in important moments. I think when you play against players that we know each other very well, it's going to be that, the key points, how we play in that moment, how we feel physically and mentally. I think it's going to be that kind of match. Hopefully goes my side.

Q. With this match and the next match, how big of a test are these types of matches for you to just be able to focus on you because there's a lot going on on the other side of the net? What's the most difficult part of that for you?

PAULA BADOSA: It's not easy. I mean, coming today on a court, especially with not a lot of matches, so my confidence it's not really high. Playing Simona, she's coming back, so a lot of expectations in that match. It's not easy also to focus on myself.

The next one is going to be the same. It's not an easy challenge. It's a mental one. What I said to myself is if I get through these kind of things, it will give me more confidence and hopefully something good in the future. That's what I try to say to myself.

Q. A little while ago Caroline was also commenting on Aryna's situation. She said she saw her earlier on today and gave her space but also let her know she was there for her. Have you had the opportunity to sit down with her and talk with her?

PAULA BADOSA: I mean, I don't want to talk about it. But of course. As I said before, she's one of my best friends. Yesterday I spoke with her a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she's going through. I know the entire situation, what is happening. That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she's my best friend and I don't want her to suffer. It's a very tough situation.

At the same point playing against her, it's also uncomfortable. Yeah, but I don't really want to talk about it because I said I'm not going to talk about it. She's my best friend and I promised that. I'm going to stay like this. Sorry.