“Iga Swiatek needs to retire” Paula Badosa jokes about how can she replace the Pole as World No. 1
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Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa
Paula Badosa has been one of the most improved players since the last season having risen in rankings rapidly. Ranked World No. 62 at the 2021 Madrid Open and having received a wildcard to play in it, Badosa is the World No. 2 at the 2022 Madrid Open and is the top-seed of the tournament.
Having earlier entered as the second seed, an injury withdrawal for World No. 1 Iga Swiatek saw Paula become the top-seed for her home event and the Spaniard is buzzing with excitement as she gets to play in front of her home crowd as the highest seed of the event where she reached the semi-finals last year only to lose to the eventual runner-up and then World No. 1 Ash Barty.
“Stressful. That’s the word. It’s stressful, nerves. I really want to do well here. I always say it. Because I’m playing in front of my people, my family, everyone. It’s special. I live in Madrid, so it’s even more special for me. It’s crazy. Everything happened very fast and maybe here it’s where everything started. Starting it at home, with all my people is very special. And coming back here again is always going to be special.
“Of course, I’m going to be nervous and feel the pressure, but I cannot wait to start and feel all the people supporting me. I always want more. I remember talking with my coach and asking, ‘Can I be happy [one] day and enjoy it?! For at least one week?!’ Because I always want more and more and more. And now this and then it’s not enough. But I think it’s part of the personality of every player.
“It’s not only me. When you are playing at this level, everyone is very competitive. I’m trying to enjoy it a little bit for one hour a day. I just try to stay calm and to enjoy where I am because in my case, it has been a very tough journey. I’m still young because I was Top 10 at 23. Still, it has been a very long one and I’ve been through a lot, so I want to try to enjoy it. We only live once, and maybe I’m not here anymore in a few years. You never know, so I want to enjoy this moment,” said Paula speaking on the Media Day.
“This year is going to be complicated” Paula Badosa on the battle for the No. 1 spot
Swiatek currently leads Badosa with more than 2000 points in the WTA rankings and it would take a monumental effort from the Spaniard to beat the Pole to the top of the rankings, something that even Paula is herself aware of.
“She’s winning every tournament, so I feel very far. She has to retire in a few [more tournaments]. It’s far, but it’s nice that I’m No.2. Let’s see in a few months if I can fight for that position. But even being in this position is already a privilege. Let’s see. Maybe I’ll have to wait until next year, because this year is going to be complicated,” added Badosa who is ready to give a fight for the top spot.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)