BADOSA Paula

General
CHANGE IN COACH
She began working under coach Javier Marti in 2020, and says he has helped keep her temperament in balance. "I've always been a bit extremist and impulsive - when I won it was the best feeling in the world and when I lost it was the worst. I've always had that character and Javi is making it more balanced. He has made me see things differently and that is allowing me to enjoy the tour more. Now, when I lose I'm not feeling awful for two or three days. I wake up with the same desire to continue growing and that is helping me to take a step further. Javi has always believed in me a lot and tells me that because of my style of play, I must focus a lot on myself. When there is a strong opponent on the other side of the net you have to think tactically, but above all I must be focused on my shots and be aggressive, make things depend on me." (elpais.com, 01 Jul 2021; elperiodico.com, 07 Jun 2021)

PLAYING RIGHT-HANDED
Despite being left-handed, she plays tennis right-handed. "As a child I played with either hand. When I got tired of one hand, I played with the other. I think it came one day when I had more strength and endurance with my right hand and I stayed like that. In my everyday life, I do everything else with my left hand. It is true that I am a rare case." (marca.com, 31 May 2021)

DEPRESSION
She revealed that in 2018 she had suffered from depression and anxiety after struggling with the pressure of expectation. "I didn't feel like doing anything, either personally or professionally. You lose the enthusiasm for many things. I felt a pressure, an obligation, and fears that meant I didn't want to get on court. Playing tennis was becoming hell for me. I just wanted to quit." She says she has changed her mindset, initially with the help of coach Xavier Budo. "I also looked for professional help, but he convinced me to change my attitude and my mentality. I was seen as hugely promising, but I hadn't proven anything, and what I'm doing now is a reality and I'm more satisfied with myself. Having high expectations when you haven't shown anything makes you think you don't deserve it. Now I have pressure and I will have to learn to manage it, but having lived what I have lived before will help me be stronger facing what is coming." (elpais.com, 01 Jul 2021; elmundo.es, 12 Apr 2021; marca.com, 20 Nov 2019; Twitter profile, 19 Jul 2019)

FROM NEW YORK TO SPAIN
She was born in New York, NY, United States of America to Spanish parents, who worked in the fashion industry. The family moved to Begur, Spain, while she was a child. (celebsfacts.com, 25 May 2021; elmundo.es, 12 Apr 2021)