Badosa: "Playing my first Grand Slam semifinal would mean a lot"

After breaking her ceiling at the Australian Open, the Spaniard now faces Coco Gauff: "She comes with a lot of confidence, but I am also playing well".

Fernando Murciego | 19 Jan 2025 | 07.19
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Paula Badosa aims for her first Grand Slam semifinal. Source: Getty
Paula Badosa aims for her first Grand Slam semifinal. Source: Getty

Sometimes things are simply a matter of time. Just ask Paula Badosa, who always said that the Australian Open was her favorite Grand Slam, although she struggled to produce a great result there time and time again. Until the 2025 season arrived and we finally have her in the quarterfinals, or in other words, among the top eight in the draw. Fantastic news that amplifies the excitement of the Spanish fans for the upcoming rounds. With the extra challenge of staying grounded in a situation, Badosa spoke to the media after her victory against Danilovic and explained how she will manage the rest day before facing Coco Gauff.

Victory against Danilovic

"I think I played very well, entered the match with very clear ideas, being very aggressive and serving very well. The second set was a bit more complicated, I think I was down 2-5, but it wasn't a true 2-5 because I was playing well. It was small points that ended up giving that result until I changed the momentum and was able to finish playing very well again."

Thinking about her next opponent

"I love Coco, I have a lot of respect for her, she is a great competitor. We have always had tough matches, the last one was very tough for me because I was winning at that moment, then the momentum changed in the Beijing semifinals. It was a great match, although in Rome it was a bit similar. I really remember every encounter, so I hope to get my revenge here. It's a special match, it's the quarterfinals on center court, and against a player like her. I always enjoyed playing against her, I respect her a lot. I will prepare for that battle again."

How she prepares for the match

"I will do the same as I have been doing all these days, although I admit that today I was very nervous before the match. Sometimes I see the matches as a great opportunity, and this was one of them, I'm not going to lie. I think I handled it well, so I will treat it as just another match. Of course, this match is different because I am playing against one of the best players in the world. She has been playing very well, I think she hasn't lost any matches this year, if I'm not mistaken. She is full of confidence, but I am also playing well, so I am ready to face her."

Rivalry with Gauff

"I think we are both aggressive players, both go for our serves. I imagine it will be a very tactical match, she is moving very well, so I will have to play very aggressively, do my game, and maybe focus a little more on myself. I think it will be a good battle, but I know that when you have to face these players, you need to have your day. I hope this time it will be my day."

Seeking her first semifinal

"It would mean a lot, even though I haven't experienced many quarterfinals in my life. One of my main goals with my team is that, especially after what happened at the US Open. We will try to get as close as possible, for now, I am happy to have made it this far, but I think I need to experience these moments more to know how to deal with them and face them. In two days, I have another chance, it would mean a lot, my dream has always been to be in the final rounds of a Grand Slam, it's very special to be in these rounds."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Badosa: “Significaría mucho jugar mi primera semifinal de Grand Slam”