Paula Badosa was very disappointed by the way she lost against the Russian Samsonova 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4) and 7-5 in the first round of the Australian Open, but more for the fact of the defeat itself, for not having been able to perform at the level that it had been doing for a long time, because of the 21 days that she had to spend locked up, first for having been in contact with a positive case for COVID-19 and then for contracting the disease. He explained it at the post-match press conference.
“Yeah, it's been a rough experience. I try to get the positive side out of this mentally. It sure does. It has been very, very difficult. I think my level was not even 70% of what it was before this. I'm a little sad or disappointed about that, but that's the way the situation is and it's going, “he explained before clarifying that I understand” the rules. “” I think Australia are doing very, very well in this country (Australia). That's why you don't have cases. But my complaint was never that. It was because of the conditions. If you are going to play a Grand Slam, and an example was seen today, in a three hour match, you needed fresh air or maybe a bigger room or better conditions to compete against the best. That was my complaint, “said Paula, who confessed that she had had a bad time. “Yes, I had anxiety because the situation was not easy, as I said. I had symptoms for three, four days and then I started to feel pretty good. I tried to exercise in the room so as not to lose my shape too much. “
After the loss to Samsonova, Badosa felt melted and does not know if she will play the WTA 250 tournament that will be played next week in Melbourne for the tennis players who have been eliminated in the Grand Slam: “I can't move now. I'll try to recover. I have to play doubles too. Let's see how I'm doing, but I'll try to participate. In the game I was very tired and I noticed little strength in the supports, everything hurt, I had to take something to avoid cramp up … “.
“I would not travel to Australia if I went back”
On the criticism she received for her complaints about the conditions she was in, the New York-born player was clear: “I had to accept it. Yes, emotionally it was difficult to read all that kind of stuff. I didn't want any of that. I think people didn't understand what I wanted to explain. I know that the rules are the rules. But the conditions were not for a great Grand Slam. It was tough mentally to get over all that. In Australia they were very hard on me. “She assures that there were no reproaches from the players: “They were very nice to me. They sent me messages every day to see how I was doing. No, I have no complaints about them, they have treated me very well.” What he does know is that if he could go back “he would not travel to Australia”. “I know it is an opportunity, a Grand Slam, but I am at a point in my career where it is more important for me to improve my tennis, physically and mentally. Then playing these tournaments is a consequence, but it would not allow me to lose form like that again. ”