“He is not from this planet mentally,” World No. 4 Paula Badosa hails Rafael Nadal, her inspiration
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Paula Badosa lauds Rafael Nadal
A multitude of high players are expected to compete in Indian Wells 2022, which begins this week. Since the Australian Open, this will be the most exciting tournament of the year. Last year, Paula Badosa reached a career-high by defeating Viktoria Azarenka in the final round, 7-6, 2-6, 7-6, in a tight three-set battle. Since then, she’s been a talk of the tennis world.
Badosa was ranked 73rd in the world this time the year before. She has won her first WTA title, reached a career-high of world No. 4 in the world rankings, and won her first WTA 1000 championship at Indian Wells in less than a year. She also won the Sydney International this year.
Rafael Nadal, the tennis legend, seemed to have highly inspired Badosa, who talked very fondly of him. “Rafael Nadal is the reference point for me. He is a worker, a fighter, and has a great mentality. I admire him more and more. Results-wise, I’m never going to get close to him, but now I’m one of the best in the world, I can understand the pressures you have when you’re at that level and can see how well he manages it,” she said.
Rafa, Spain’s true treasure and often considered as the GOAT of the sport, has endured a long and successful career. At the age of 35, he has not yet allowed his empire to fall. Instead, he won the Australian Open this year after recovering from a career-threatening foot injury last year, giving him 21 grand slams, putting him over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the slam record. He made history and delivered one of his career’s most iconic performances. He came back from a two-set deficit to win the finals in five sets against World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev.
“It seems to me that he is not from this planet mentally and that is even more inspirational. He has always been an example that I have looked at when I have faced difficult moments and if I want to emulate someone, it is Nadal,” Badosa said about him.
Not an easy road for Paula Badosa at Indian Wells
The Spanish star defends her Indian Wells title in this tournament. However, if she aspires to repeat her performance from last fall at Indian Wells, she won’t have an easy time getting through the draw. Naomi Osaka and Anett Kontaveit are also in Badosa’s division. She’ll be up against a qualifier in the first round. Although she hasn’t had the best year, her performance has been on the rise, and she will be one of the tournament’s favorites.
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Shilpi Pusadkar
(106 Articles Published)