Spain has given the world some of the best tennis players on the face of the earth. The legend and King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, is one of them. Spain continues to provide reigning and top-tier champions like Carlos Alcaraz Garfia and Paula Badosa.
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However, every player, even if he or she avoids it, gets compared to Rafael Nadal. World no. 4 Paula Badosa talked about the consequences and pressure that the comparison brings to her.
Paula Badosa opens up about problems with Rafael Nadal
Paula Badosa talked about the undeterred comparison of her with Rafael Nadal affects her mindset and pressurizes her. Simona Halep defeated the Spanish player in the fourth round of Wimbledon. Further on this situation, she said, “There is a lot of demand from the people. You are in the second week and now they wonder why you don’t win. And if you lose in the first week, they wonder why you don’t make it to the second. I don’t know how to say it… I’m not Rafa Nadal, nor I am going to be.”
(Translated using Google Translate)
Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 27, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his third round match against Netherlands’ Botic Van De Zandschulp REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol
The comparison of the young players from Rafael Nadal to the people puts them under pressure to live up to the expectation.
This has taken a toll on the young WTA player as well. She has excelled in the tennis realm and is currently ranked world no. 4 on the WTA ranking chart.
Badosa’s hustle, to be on the top
The player admires the Spanish tennis legend and hopes to perform even better in her budding tennis career. However, she also believes that the comparisons are not helpful for the Spanish tennis players.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 11, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Paula Badosa from Spain hits a shot against Rebecca Marino from Canada (not pictured) during the second round play at Stade IGA. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
She said, “We have gotten a little spoiled in Spain because of the great players we have had. Hopefully, one day I can do something similar, but I would like it to be a little less demanding.”
(Translated using Google Translate)
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Unfortunately, the player did not have a great run during the grass court season. However, she would gear up well for the hard court season and try to clinch titles there.
Written by
Edited by
Deepakshi Chaudhary