MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 22, 2024

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/P. Badosa

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Paula, you've been struggling with injury lately. How pleased are you to at least have gotten a couple of matches here in Miami?

PAULA BADOSA: I'm really pleased. After all, I've been struggling a lot with my injury. I'm happy to be back on a court. First day I played for two hours and a half, so that's important. I'm feeling well. Today another match, a pretty good level, so I'm happy with it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you explain how special was this match against one of your best friends, knowing the situation?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I wouldn't call it 'special' because it wasn't very comfortable to play my best friend in this situation.

After all, I want to talk about me, honestly. Three weeks ago I didn't know I could be able to play here. I was in my country struggling, didn't know what to do with my back with a lot of pain.

Coming back here and being able to play, it's already a win for me.

Q. How do you rate your level against Aryna? Looked like a high level today.

PAULA BADOSA: I think it was okay. I mean, as I said, I've been playing for the first time after almost a year eight days in a row. So for me I'm very happy about that because I wasn't able to play Indian Wells. I started to train there. I'm really happy that I'm being able to get back to it and to play high-level matches.

I think it wasn't that bad. It was, like, maybe small details. Also she played very well. With all she's going through, credit to her. So congrats.

Q. What's next for you? Do you have any specific plans going into the clay season?

PAULA BADOSA: Honestly, play as much as possible. For my injury, I think clay will help me. I will feel a little bit better because it's not that tough for my injury. I will play as much as I can.

I'm going to play Charleston, if I can. Stuttgart. Hometown Madrid. All the tournaments possible. If I can get a lot of matches like today, against the best ones, to get that rhythm, it would be great.

Q. You said before it was going to be an uncomfortable experience playing that game. How difficult was it for both of you to keep your emotions in check and focus on the tennis?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, honestly, both of us are pretty strong mentally. We're strong woman. She proved it. I proved it. We knew how to disconnect in that two hours, one hours and a half of match.

She played really well. I played really well for where I'm coming from. I think it was quite decent. That all comes from because we know we've been through a lot in our lives, we're strong woman, and we know how to separate that in that moment.

Q. Based on your friendship with her, were you surprised with her composure through all this? Do you think she can hold that throughout this whole tournament?

PAULA BADOSA: No, I wasn't surprised at all. As I said, she's a very, very strong woman, strong personality. You can see it on the court. Especially I know her off court. It doesn't surprise me at all.

I knew she was going to play very well or like normal. I told her I wish her the best. Let's see if she can go very deep in this tournament.

Q. Was wearing black a conscious decision today?

PAULA BADOSA: No, no, not at all. It was a coincidence. Nike's outfit.