HOME BADOSA: “AT TIMES IT SEEMED LIKE I WAS FACING SIMONA HALEP”
Badosa: “At times it seemed like I was facing Simona Halep”
The Spaniard highlighted Ruse’s high level and appreciated the connection she feels every time she plays in the United States: “Here I feel safe, protected by the audience”.
Paula Badosa analyzed her victory over Ruse at the US Open 2024.
The adventure of Paula Badosa at the US Open 2024 will have, at least, one more chapter to tell. An event that historically had not been kind to her, but it was only a matter of time before we saw this record broken. After defeating Elena Gabriela Ruse in three sets and advancing to the round of 16, the player born in New York shared her emotions with the crowd in the on-court interview conducted by the tournament. These were her words after her third victory of the week.
Comeback and into the fourth round
“At the moment when I was down 5-4 and facing match point, I admit that mentally I was completely shattered. Fortunately, at that moment the whole crowd started chanting my name, began cheering me on, because they are the ones who gave me the energy to keep fighting and turn the score around. It was an incredible moment for me against an opponent who had displayed a spectacular level from the start, which left me a bit confused, I didn’t expect it. In the end, it was a match of high quality, I congratulate her on her performance and if she maintains this level, she will surely be able to climb much higher in the rankings.”
Impressive level from Ruse
“I was asking my coach what I should do on the court because my opponent was really playing well. What he told me was that I couldn’t dwell too much on that issue, the only thing I could do was stay alert and keep fighting until the end, trying to be more aggressive than her from the first ball. And in case she closed out the match with that level of perfection, well then you shake her hand and head back home. Luckily, I was able to bring out my true game, be much more aggressive, and improve from the second set. At times I thought I was playing against Simona Halep, it was very tough, so I’m happy that everything worked out in the end, all the credit to my coach.”
Playing at ‘home’
“I’ve mentioned this before on some occasion, but the best results of my professional career have always come in the United States. I have no doubt that the best crowd is in this country, I have always felt a special connection with them, from the moment I started competing here. I always tell my team that it can’t be a mere coincidence that things go so well for me here, that the best results always happen here. I feel very secure every time I come to the United States, very much supported by the people in the stands, that feeling is priceless.”
And now, on to mixed doubles
“I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but I’m coming right now from a very long and demanding match, starting to think about what people will say when they see me playing mixed doubles because the reality is that I’ll be a bit tired, so I’ll try to have Stefanos do all the work this time (laughs). Now seriously, it’s a match that can help me improve, I’m very motivated to do well and share the court with him, so I hope people don’t miss it and are in the stands to cheer us on.”
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Badosa: “Por momentos parecía que tenía enfrente a Simona Halep”
