Frustration, inconsistencies, resilience—these are the cornerstones of any gripping tennis match, and the tension in Cincinnati is no exception. As the WTA 1000 event charges into the semifinals, the anticipation is palpable. The top players are gearing up for an all-out battle, with the title just within reach. But amidst the thrill and excitement, there’s one player who seems to be feeling the pressure more than most. It’s none other than the Spanish sensation Paula Badosa.

Playing against Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals, the 27-year-old was finding it difficult to keep her calm and momentum intact. Badosa looked completely shattered as Pegula dominated the first set of the match and won it 6-2. However, a resilient Badosa bounced back in the second set and won it 6-3, only to lose the match eventually in the third set.

Destiny seems to be unfavorable for Badosa at the moment. As she was cruising back into the match demonstrating a resilient gesture in the second set, the rain gods decided to play a spoilsport, which eventually left the player miffed. She was seen engaging in a frustrated exchange with her box during the rain delay, as the stress of the match was evident on her face.

The Spaniard was possibly asking her team and her coach to provide her with more inputs and insights that could help her break Pegula’s momentum. She reportedly complained of facing trouble during the returns. However, her coach Pol Toledo Bague handled the situation calmly, as he advised his mentee to keep her calm and play with more grit. But Badosa’s anger was reflected even before this intense discussion with her coach.

The Spanish sensation lost her cool on several occasions during the match. She was seen hitting the ball out of the court in frustration and was completely agitated by her opponent’s performance. Interestingly, Badosa has benefitted from this aggression in the past. 

Winning the Sydney International in 2022, Badosa had expressed how aggressive gameplay benefits her. “For me, it was a big challenge and a big goal for me to change a little bit of my game this year, being a little bit more aggressive…I’ve never been that aggressive, but I think I had the capacity of being that.” But, her aggression is often balanced by her coach’s calm demeanor and the star player has herself acknowledged this.

When Paula Badosa credited her coach for keeping her calm

An aggressive player often needs the backing and support of a coach who not only understands the frustration but also provides ways to overcome the challenges. Paula Badosa seems to have explored this balance, as she speaks highly of her coach. 

In an interview with WTA tennis.com in 2022, Badosa revealed how her coach helps her maintain her composure. Speaking about how it becomes difficult for her sometimes to remain calm, the Spaniard said, “Of course, it’s a big step mentally as well, to go for it and to not fear about it.” However, her coach is her biggest savior on the court. “I think that my coach helps me a lot on that, because sometimes when you miss you just regret it so much. Why did I do it like that? I had to play the point. He’s always supporting me and being there, [saying] I don’t care if you do 500 unforced errors because it’s the only way,” Badosa said.

The Spanish star further expressed her gratitude and explained the confidence a player gets when they have a supporting team. As the match and eventually the season advances further, it would be interesting to see if this support translates into a big victory for Badosa, especially at the upcoming US Open.