Paula Badosa assured this Tuesday, after debuting with victory against the Romanian Simona Halep in the WTA 1,000 in Miami (1-6, 6-4 and 6-3), that it is a great victory for her because at this moment she does not have “much confidence” and that he is clear that he will have to fight to recover his best version.
This victory will mean for the Catalan tennis player to face her friend Aryna Sabalenka, world number two, in the second round. The Belarusian has decided not to abandon the tournament despite the sudden death of her partner, former ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov.
“I don’t want to talk about it, but of course she’s one of my best friends. Yesterday I talked a lot with her. This morning the same thing and I know what she’s going through. I know the whole thing. For me it’s also a bit shocking to go through “That’s because in the end she is my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very hard situation,” Badosa explained about Sabalenka, admitting that it will be an “uncomfortable” match.
“I’m honestly surprised by the level with which we played because we hadn’t competed much, and there was wind. We played well, especially at the end it was a great battle. I’m very happy to get the victory. For me Simona is tough, she’s a great victory,” Badosa said in statements to the Tennis Channel after the match.
Badosa faced the Romanian, champion of two Grand Slam titles, who was suspended for two anti-doping violations. Her sanction was reduced from four years to nine months two weeks ago by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), allowing her to be invited to Miami. Despite almost 19 months without playing on the circuit, Halep, 32, was competitive.
“I was suffering in the first set, I tried to be positive, it wasn’t easy because I honestly don’t have much confidence now, this (back) injury has been very hard, I hope to be able to play many matches and rediscover that Paula, a mentally strong Paula again “, he claimed. “I hope that happens soon and I get back to my level, but I know I will have to fight,” she continued.
On a physical level, Badosa said that his back “is fine” because he is very careful “all day” with it. “But now there are problems with other parts of the body. I ended up tired, but now I have a day off and I have time to recover,” she said.
