THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2024

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/D. Kasatkina

7-6, 4-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Paula, how did you feel your level was today?

PAULA BADOSA: Look, today was a battle out there. Well, I was expecting that. And she's a great player. She's been playing very well. She's been winning a lot of matches on grass.

So I know also it was a very tactical match, and I'm really proud that I went through it. I mean, it was very, very tough. She's a great player. I'm happy that I won the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I just wondered how you're feeling physically and how much it means having been through...

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, of course, it was a tough match, and of course, I'm tired right now. But I have a lot of hours to recover, and that's good. That's a good part of a slam.

What was the other question?

Q. Just how does it feel like emotionally getting through?

PAULA BADOSA: I said it on court. It's not my first time in a second week, but I think it's the most special one. I'm really proud of myself after all. I've been struggling a lot with injuries, and it's been now a long time that I wasn't in a second week.

For me, it meant so much. And also after the match that I played, that I think it was very, very mental, and it was very tough for me.

Q. We saw you burst into tears. I just wondered if you could relive those emotions for us and what you're feeling in that moment?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I mean, I just said it. I mean, last year here I had to retire. Then it took me ten months. I was on the couch and watching the tournaments from home.

Also this year when I started the year, I didn't know what was going to happen. Like, the doctors were telling me I couldn't maybe continue.

For me, I've always been very tough mentally and a fighter, so I was going to do it anyway. So for me, I'm very proud that I've been through all of this. And now that I'm, again, in the fourth round and playing good level again, because sometimes also when I came back at the beginning of the year and struggling so much, my level wasn't there. I feel myself so far away. Now seeing myself back at it, it means a lot.

Q. When the doctors do tell you that, that it might be easier if you don't play anymore, is there ever any part of you that goes, Oh, maybe I will stop, or were you always, like, I don't care?

PAULA BADOSA: Look, at the end of the bottom of my heart, I wasn't accepting it. I was, like, I'm going to continue no matter what. I think that's also what made me the player I am, that I always want more, and I'm always going to fight even how difficult is that moment, you know.

Of course, there are some moments that there's pain, and you don't really know what to do and you a feel a little bit lost. But I didn't care. I remember telling to my team that I was going to play with pain (laughing).

At the end we're managing it really well, so I'm really happy with that. And I think I have a great people by my side and very professional. They're helping me daily.

Q. How are you feeling now? Are you playing with pain out there or are you okay?

PAULA BADOSA: Look, there are some days that I feel it worse than others, but it's manageable. There are some days that it's tough. But also I'm controlling a lot the tournaments I'm playing, the days I'm practicing, days off maybe.

Look, I love to go to the gym, I love to work hard, but there are some days that I can't. So I'm managing that pretty well. Of course, also with the doctors and everything, but that's what I do.

Maybe I take more days off than I would like to, but it's the only way.

Q. You mentioned your mental toughness. How does that apply to the biggest of moments? What is your thought process in the biggest of moments?

PAULA BADOSA: In that moment I'm just, like, Look, stay tough, try to play your game, believe in yourself. That's what I try to say to myself.

And, of course, also I said, Look, Paula, when I was 4-2 down in the third set, you've been through this more times, you have experience, you've overcome the situations, you've overcome the worst situations in your life, and this is just another challenge, and I think you can get through it.

It helped me in this moment.

Q. I just wonder, you mentioned you can't always do the extra gym work. What have you been doing in the days off during this tournament? Have you been able to go out and see things?

PAULA BADOSA: No, not really. I've been recovering. Of course, ice bath, physio during hours and eating well, resting. That's what I do.

Honestly, I don't practice much my recovery day because also I played today for three hours, the other day I played a few. Tennis, it's not going to change anymore. My work, it's done.

So day off I just try to recover my body as much as I can.

Q. What are some of your favorite things to do in London when you are here during the tournament?

PAULA BADOSA: I don't do much. Look, I'm a freak of tennis, so I'm watching all day matches. I love it. I enjoy it.

Of course, when it's me suffering, I don't like it that much. But when I see it, I like it (laughing). So I'm watching tennis. I'm just chilled with my team, my people. I'm at the apartment watching TV shows.

I don't do much, honestly. I just save the energy for the match.