Rejuvenated Badosa hails “special” title win in Washington: “I’m stronger than I think”

The Spaniard hailed her win in Washington as one of the biggest of her career

Zuma / Panoramic

August 5, 2024

It’s been a rough couple of years for Paula Badosa, the former world No 2 drifting down the rankings due to a series of injuries.

But her first title since 2022 – and the fourth of her career – in Washington on Sunday has given Badosa a huge boost and she returned to the world’s top 50 on Monday.

Reflecting on her victory in a piece written up by Spanish sports paper AS, Badosa described the title as the biggest of her career and said she had proved something to herself.

“This title means a lot to me,” she said, after her three-set win over Marie Bouzkova in the final. “It’s been a really tough day for me because I really wanted to win this title no matter what. It was very emotional. Finally, I did it. I’m really proud of myself and I’m really happy with this title.

“I think what I’m most proud of is how I’ve handled this week, the toughest moments and the pressure moments. I think I had a few, especially in the quarter-finals and today. I’m really proud of how I’ve dealt with it. I think what I’ve learned the most is that I’m stronger than I think. If I believe it and go for it, good things come, like this title. Sometimes I’ve doubted myself, and I think I shouldn’t. I need to keep believing. And I hope it’s not the last title.”

BADOSA: “IT’S THE MOST SPECIAL MOMENT”

Badosa paid tribute to all those who had helped her reach this point, coming through tough ties to experience the joy of winning titles again.

“It’s been a mix of emotions,” she said. “Especially after what I went through last year, coming back, winning a WTA 500 title and beating some of the best tennis players in the world and competing against them, for me it means a lot. It was difficult for me to control the emotions, especially when we finished. Going into the locker room was also very emotional. The way I came out in the third set was very good and very positive.

“I think it’s the most special moment because of everything I’ve been through. It seems like it was yesterday, a lot of people got discouraged with me. I had to fight against it and I had to believe in myself. I think I’ve done a great job with my team, who has always been supporting me and believing in me. This moment for me is one of the most special of my career. My victory in Indian Wells is also special, but this is a different situation. I think I’ve fought a lot against myself and my thoughts. I think it’s one of the biggest victories of my career.”

“I think I am on my way back”

In Badosa’s absence through injury, there were times when she wondered if she would ever be fit enough again to contest for titles.

“A year ago I was on the couch, so there’s a big difference. Now I’m a sportswoman again. I think I am in a good moment now. Before the tournament I felt good, confident, I think I needed to win something, a big title for me because, personally, I am not happy with making finals or semi-finals. I want to win titles. I am a perfectionist, sometimes that discourages me, but there are also times when it gives me a plus. I feel that I needed this moment a lot.

“I had already felt before that I was at a high level because, as I said, I have played against the best tennis players and I have been very close to them. But I think I am on my way. I don’t want to say that I am back because I don’t know. I want to test myself a bit more, but I think I am on my way. The most important thing is that I am motivated, that my body responds, so yes, we can say that I am back.

“Even though I started the year very far down the rankings, I have come back from an injury and I had to take it step by step. It was like I had to win every match possible, but now I need to calm down and appreciate this moment and be grateful for it. Today was a tough battle, in my case a tough mental battle. I am very happy and I am already looking forward to the next tournament and the next challenges.”