ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2024

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/P. Badosa

7-5, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Paula, tough match. What positives do you take after this? Because last year you didn't play, and you got to this round. Can you talk about the positives that you take?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, it was a tough one today. I think she played in a very good level. She's playing very well these past weeks. She showed what a great player she is.

From my side, I played a good first set, and then I think could be better, but I'm happy, above all, of the tournament.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. I just wondered how it was playing your good friend and whether you spoke much before the match to Aryna and if you have spoken after?

PAULA BADOSA: I always say that before the match we keep it quite normal, we have a great relationship, and then when the match comes, we separate things. We are opponents there, but after that and before that, we are always going to be friends.

Q. Were you chatting and stuff before...

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, yeah, yeah, everything, it's normal.

Q. How did you find it? It was just like any other match when you're playing?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, yeah, sure. Of course it's like any other match. The thing is that she's world No. 2 and the level is pretty high. But of course that's what I expected.

Q. In that first set, all the breaks of serve on either side, do you think some of that is partly because you know each other's games so well, or is it just sort of the way the game went?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, could be a little bit that, and also the conditions, it was really slow. Maybe we were getting a little bit nervous on the serves, knowing that we both have big serves and maybe in that pressure moments.

Yeah, could be a combination of both.

Q. I wanted to ask you, Aryna said on court that she doesn't look to the other side of the net when you're on the other end. I wonder if the same for you? Also, with the start of this friendship, when did you all really become friends?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I do the same. I don't really look the other side. I just look at my box and myself. Her, I try not to look either. It's easier (smiling).

It started a few years ago in exhibition. We started to know each other. We connected very well. She's a great person. Since then, we have a very good friendship.

Q. Both of you are readers. You like to read a lot of books. Wonder what you're reading now and if you share what you read with each other?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, normally I read a lot of personal growth. I like it a lot. I like all the mental health stuff. So I read a lot of books about that and articles.

I like that world. Yeah, that's mostly what I read about.

Q. Today you have one more match, mixed doubles with Stefanos. How do you manage to turn the page so quickly after such a tough game like today?

PAULA BADOSA: It's part of tennis. We're used to it. We have been doing it since we were young.

It's not easy, of course, but we are so used to fall and we have to stand up every single day, and I think that's maybe the toughest part of this sport.

Also, I will try to enjoy it. It's an opportunity. It's a beautiful opportunity also sharing the court with somebody you love.

Yeah, it's a nice thing. Also, I just remind myself that last year in this situation I was on the sofa, so looking the tournament on TV. So being here, I'm grateful of that. Today I had the opportunity to play against one of the best players in the world in Philippe Chatrier. I think I have to be grateful for that after what I went through.

I will try to turn the page as soon as possible, because it's worth it.

Q. Aryna is in the spotlight so much, but can you share what makes her such a special person? Secondly, the whole area of mental health is so important to the game. Can you share some of the pieces that you have been reading about mental health?

PAULA BADOSA: I mean, about Aryna, what can I say? I think she shows that she's such a natural, honest person. I think tennis needs players like her. Also, she brings an amazing game on court, very intense. She's passionate. I think we need players with this kind of charisma. She's fun to watch.

Off court, she's a nice person, very genuine, always trying to help. I think players that are so good in their sport and they're, like, very normal and very humble, I think that's the most important and the most inspiring.

That's why I think we have this amazing relationship, because even though she wins 10 more slams, she's going to be the same person.