NEW YORK – Confidence is the cornerstone of Paula Badosa ‘s game: “When you’re confident or with a positive dynamic, without wanting to, you’re winning”.
A year ago, she had to withdraw from the US Open, injured in the vertebrae and very affected after a season to forget. At the US Open 2024, she feels like a different player. After winning the title in Washington and reaching the semis in Cincinnati, the Spaniard won her New York opener with a solid 6-0, 6-3 win over Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.
‘When I’m confident, my game responds very well. I dare more shots, to go for games when I feel confident. And when you’re in the opposite state, it’s much more difficult, it’s like everything becomes a mountain. My self-confidence has always depended on how I am mentally. Today I played a pretty good match with all the tension of a first round,’ she told the media.
Badosa has made changes in her game, especially considering the fast pace that is being played in the women’s circuit: ‘I focus much more with the first shots, with the serve, with the return. On the second serve, I try to hit a lot more. I’m inspired by the players who are at the top right now, because in the end that’s where I want to be and that’s the path I have to follow. My goal is also to get to the net more, although that’s more difficult for me’.
‘Now I value the moments I spend on the court much more. Being there is already a victory for me. Before I was very stressed and now I just enjoy it. When I’m in trouble I just look at the people in the stands and try to take it all in,’ she confessed.
Another aspect that gives her peace of mind is the fact that she has once again been seeded at a Grand Slam after two years. A goal that she did not expect to achieve so soon. ‘I hate talking about ranking! When I finished Roland Garros I sat down with my coach. I was out of the top 100. It was a disaster for what I expect from myself. So we said, let’s see if I can aim to be seeded in Australia’.
A new attempt at mixed doubles with Tsitsipas
After signing up to play mixed doubles with boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas at several Grand Slams in the past, but forced to pull out at the last minute due to injuries, this time, Paula Badosa believes they will finally make their Grand Slam debut.
‘We signed up in the draw after we won the exhibition, we’ve been motivated,’ said Badosa. The former world number two and the Greek beat Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton in the final of the ‘Mixed Madness‘ competition prior to the start of the US Open. In that event they won 250,000 dollars, more than what the winners of the mixed doubles draw earn.
One thing Badosa is excited about is measuring herself on the court against the men, which she says is an advantage for the duo, because she has enough power to handle the heavier balls.
‘I’m a strong tennis player, and I can handle the opposing man. I can return guys’ serves. I love the challenge. Every time I see Shelton I say, ‘It’s so easy to return your serve’ (laughs).’
Just the second round is her ceiling in singles in the city where she was born: ‘I hope to get through the second round this time’.
She will face local Taylor Townsend to record the best performance of her career at Flushing Meadows.
