Paula Badosa confesses to being afraid of Rafael Nadal since the United Cup campaign

Paula Badosa describes how afraid she was to see Rafael Nadal watching her during the United Cup

Paula Badosa confesses to being afraid of Rafael Nadal since the United Cup campaign

Paula Badosa and Rafael Nadal

Spanish World No.33 Paula Badosa opens up on how she felt when Rafael Nadal came to watch her play during the United Cup 2023. The inaugural edition of the tournament was considered a season opener and the perfect preparation for the Australian Open since it was played on Sydney hard courts. Badosa’s Spain was not able to reach the knockout stage despite having top players on the team including Nadal.

As Badosa described recently about her feelings during the United Cup, “To play with Rafa watching is the toughest thing to do. At my match, I was praying for him not to come. It was 2-1 in 1st set & he appears. I was like ‘Don’t think that’s Rafa watching’ bc it’s very tough. Rafa is my idol since I was 5.”

YouTube video

Paula Badosa reached as high as World No.2 in April 2022. Since then, she failed to reach her best form and of now, she is ranked at number 33. Her best-ever performance in a Grand Slam is her quarter-final Appearance in the French Open 2021. Currently playing at the ATP-250 Charleston Open, Badosa looked sharp until now. She will face the American No.1 seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals.

Also Read: “You call that a stretch,” Holger Rune’s futile attempt to copy Novak Djokovic has fans in splits

Paul Badosa will be trying to peak for the French Open

image 205

The Spanish 25-year-old Paula Badosa has gone out of the Top-30 rankings after climbing up to her career-highest ranking of number 2 in April 2022. She started last year as number 8 but some good runs in the earlier part of the season made her move up to 2 but then she was not able to capitalize on it in the second part.

After having to withdraw mid-match due to a shoulder injury against Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open Quarter-finals in March last year, she was not able to go past the pre-quarterfinals in any of the tournaments she played later the season. This year, she started well in Adelaide International by reaching the semi-finals but an injury stopped her from competing in the match.

After skipping the Australian Open and subsequent tournaments this year, she came back to the Qatar Open but lost in the first round. After crashing out in round two in both Indian Wells and Miami Masters, Badosa looks to be settled in the clay tournament at Charleston Open. She and her fans will be hoping to see her back at her best for the clay court season.

In case you missed it!