Paula Badosa, 25, admits she still perfectly remembers when she upset Ashleigh Barty on the clay courts of Charleston two years ago. This time two years ago, Barty was ranked at No 1 in the world and widely considered one of the best players in the women’s game.
On the other side, Badosa was ranked around No 70 in the world. Going into their Charleston quarterfinal match, Barty was considered the big favorite to win the match. But Badosa delivered an impressive performance to beat Barty 6-3 6-3.
After beating Mayar Sherif 6-3 6-1 in this year’s Charleston first round, Badosa recalled the Barty win. “It’s impossible to forget. I was #70 in the world when it all started. It’s my 3rd year in a row coming back to Charleston, super special.
I feel the love from the people as well. I’m just working hard & I hope it starts here again,” Badosa said, per The Tennis Letter.
Paula Badosa on beating #1 Ash Barty in 2021: “It’s impossible to forget.
I was #70 in the world when it all started. It’s my 3rd year in a row coming back to Charleston, super special. I feel the love from the people as well. I’m just working hard & I hope it starts here again” pic.twitter.com/N7kyXIJfBx — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 4, 2023
Badosa welcomes Elina Svitolina back
This week in Charleston, former world No 3 Svitolina played her first match since becoming a mom.
Svitolina, 28, was considered one of the best players in the game before she took a break from tennis to focus on pregnancy. Badosa, a former world No 2, is happy to see Svitolina back on the WTA Tour. “It’s so nice to have her back.
She’s always been an inspiration for me. She’s a warrior on court, a fighter. I like these kinds of players. I think it’s very inspirational. It’s nice to have a mother back with the best players in the world again,” Badosa told Ed McGrogan of tennis.com.
Meanwhile, Badosa got off to a very positive start to her Charleston campaign. In her Charleston Opener, Badosa routinely handled the business against Sherif. It remains to be seen if Badosa can win her first title of the season this week.
