By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Photograph credit score: Matthew Calvis
A resurgent Paula Badosa reached the Australian Open semifinals to return to the Prime 10.
Now, Badosa is reflecting on a few of her darkest days within the sport that led to melancholy.
Extra: Sinner and Cahill to Half After 2025
In a brand new interview together with her buddy, Caroline Garcia, on her podcast Tennis Insider Membership, Badosa opens up on the psychological well being struggles she confronted earlier in her profession.
“I’ve by no means been ashamed to say this: I’ve had psychological well being points,” Badosa advised Garcia. “Right now, once I give it some thought and look again, I am glad for every part I’ve overcome, as a result of that has made me the participant or the individual I’m. A fighter.”
Exterior and self-imposed expectations early in her profession put heavy stress on the younger Badosa, who was dubbed the subsequent Maria Sharapova by some, and concedes she didn’t at all times get pleasure from competing.
“After I was 18 years outdated and I used to be an excellent junior participant,” Badosa recalled. “Taking that step ahead was not straightforward. You begin dropping, and other people suppose you are the subsequent Sharapova. ‘Why is not it within the ‘Prime 10′ but?’ And I wasn’t even within the Prime 100 on the time.
“My psychological capability was not ready for these sorts of expectations.
“I’ve at all times mentioned that I really like this sport, however at that time in your life it additionally turns into a job. And it turns into duty, stress, expectations. It’s totally tough to handle as a result of, as I at all times say, your mind is just not ready to deal with that form of factor if you’re 18, 19… not earlier than the age of 25. Possibly I might be prepared for this at 40 years outdated, however it’s too late. The method of maturity must be tremendous quick.”
The 2021 Indian Wells champion mentioned taking day without work as a result of her again damage gave her a way of perspective.
“After I was younger I did not get pleasure from video games very a lot. And I put extra stress on me,” Badosa mentioned. “After the damage I modified a bit.
“After all I am not tremendous glad if I lose, I do not ‘benefit from the experience’ or these clichés which can be mentioned, however I am having fun with it a bit extra, you recognize? I attempt to discover moments to take a seat down and speak to myself and inform myself: ‘Wow, you’re actually fortunate.’ I by no means mentioned that earlier than.”
Nowadays, former world No. 2 Badosa mentioned she’s making an attempt to get pleasure from each match as a brand new alternative and be kinder to herself.
“You possibly can’t put your self below that stress on a regular basis,” Badosa mentioned. “Now I am happy with myself, of this yr, I’ve loved myself once more, I attempt to get pleasure from myself.
“I’ve realized the exhausting approach, nevertheless it has helped me.”
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