Paula Badosa has delivered a career-defining performance by defeating Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, causing the No. 3 seed to crash out of the tournament in a huge upset.
Badosa said she is “super proud” of the level she delivered in an emotional return to form in straight units 7-5, 6-4 after fearing she would have to retire prematurely due to stress fractures in her back.
Doctors told her in 2024 that her career was over, making the victory very emotional for the Spaniard.
'I mean, I've been through a lot. In the past I was one of the best players in the world, but I think now I am a better player, more mature, I think I managed emotions a little better, not always, but sometimes,” she said.
'And I mean, it was great playing in front of you. The atmosphere was incredible and for me this is a dream come true.
'I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back and I didn't know if I should retire from this sport. Now I'm here playing against the best in the world. I won today. I'm in the semi-finals. So I never would have thought that a year later I would be here.”
Spaniard Paula Badosa thought her career was over last year, now she has reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Badosa took over the scalp of the American Coco Gauff, who was the great favorite.
Gauff, who entered the clash as the heavy favorite and had been in brilliant form, was unable to overcome Badosa's relentless pressure and precise shots.
While Gauff was the big favorite, Badosa had caused her many headaches in the past before her back injury.
Badosa, who has consistently troubled Gauff in previous encounters, exploited the American's weaknesses with a combination of deep returns and court coverage.
-Gauff's trademark defense and athleticism were met with aggressive crosscourt winners and relentless purple play from the Spaniard.
“It was one for the ages,” said Channel 9 commentator Tony Jones.
'Considering that she said in the interview with Alicia Molik that she thought it was all over for her career just a year ago.
“I was suffering from stress fractures in my back and needed constant injections to get by. It was an incredible effort for the body and mind to get to the stage where she is now, and even before finishing that match, it was historic for her, given that she had never won a set against a prime 10 player in a Grand Slam event. before.
“Congratulations to Paula Badosa.”
Badosa broke into emotional scenes after claiming his biggest scalp since doctors told him to retire from the sport.
Badosa wrote “three times the charm” in Spanish on camera after her emotional victory
The victory means that Badosa will play in his first Grand Slam semi-final and, after two previous attempts in Australia, he signed on camera “three times the charm” in Spanish.
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