Interview: [12] Paula Badosa – 2R (def. Leylah Fernandez 7-5 7-6(6))

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Second round: [12] Paula Badosa (ESP) def. Leylah Fernandez (CAN) 7-5 7-6(6)

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on the win today. Can you please share your thoughts on the match?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah. I think it was a very tough one. Leylah, she was very aggressive, and she played very well, and I think I had to keep up that level, and I’m happy that I could get the level high and win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Question: Yeah. There’s straight sets, and there’s straight sets. What degree do you think that match helped you, because it was pretty tough.

BADOSA: Of course, every match helps, but maybe this one a little bit more. For me I had very tough beginning of the season, and a lot of matches didn’t go my way, even though I was fighting until the last point. So for me getting a win like this means a lot, and it means like I have another opportunity tomorrow to even be a better player.

Question: What gave you your edge today? You were down a break in the first, and then you won on a break, and it was a very tight tiebreak, and she was very aggressive. And your serving stats were great, first and second.

BADOSA: Yeah, I think the serve was very important today, and then I just tried to be aggressive as well, but she wasn’t letting me a lot to do that. But I think maybe the key was a little bit the serve and to stay there, to accept every moment, because she was playing unbelievable shots, so I had to accept and keep fighting, keep fighting, and I think
that’s what gave me the match.

Question: Both of your matches were at 11 a.m. in the morning. A little bit humid out there today. How were the conditions for you?

BADOSA: Yeah. It’s very humid. It’s not a little bit. I feel it’s very humid, but it’s okay. I mean, I don’t mind. I’m used to humid weather as well. I’m Spanish, so I’m used to warm weather. So for me it’s okay. Conditions are a little bit maybe faster in the morning, but I like it. I’m serving well. I’m going for the shots and being aggressive. So I think that helps me a little bit.

Question: First time that you’ve won back-to-back matches since January, and curious for you if this is the kind of — these two matches especially as we’re talking about against someone like Leylah, if these are the kind of moments that you’re putting the work in and now is this the stuff that you feel like you hope will build your confidence?

BADOSA: Yeah, for sure. Everything helps, and winning, of course, helps. As I said, I had the injury, and for me it was tough. I didn’t have a lot of luck on the last matches, even though they were very tough and I had my opportunities. So for me, every win right now counts. And of course, against a player like Leylah, and especially the level she played today, for me means it’s very positive, and I hope I can play many more matches. And I hope it’s the start of the Paula that I want to feel again.

Question: It seemed like on Tennis Channel you didn’t know much about Diana Shnaider. She is a 19-year-old, who’s had some success. When you don’t know a player that well, how do you approach that match? And is it tough, Paula, to play someone who sometimes doesn’t have anything to sort of feel the pressure?

BADOSA: Yeah, of course. I mean I had that the entire last year. So at least I have experience right now. But I don’t really know her, to be honest, but I can expect — she played in college; right?

Question: Plays.

PAULA BADOSA: Oh. She plays. Okay. Sorry. And she won Veronika today, so she’s fearless and she will go with nothing to lose, and I will have the pressure. And, yeah. It’s another match like this. But it’s okay. I’m used to it, and it’s a new challenge for me. And it’s going to be different. It’s going to be tough, and I think these kind of challenges they’re going to make me even stronger.