Paula Badosa on Confidence, Clay Roots, & Competing in Miami

3 days ago
3 min read

As part of Miami Living’s annual tennis interview series, we spoke with Paula Badosa at the Miami Open, where she reflected on her international upbringing, her path back to confidence after injuries, and the routines that keep her balanced amid the intensity of life on tour.

BY MARKIN ABRAS | PHOTOS FRANCES TIAFOE /PAULA BADOSA

Paula Badosa was born in New York City, while her Spanish parents were working there in the fashion industry. She grew up in Barcelona after her family returned to Spain and began playing tennis at age seven. Inspired by tennis legend Maria Sharapova, she committed fully to the sport and developed her game on clay courts. Her first major achievement came in 2015 when she won the girls’ singles title at the French Open, announcing herself as one of the top junior players in the world. She turned professional later that year and gradually adapted to the demands of the WTA Tour.

Off the court, she values simple routines that help her stay grounded. “I love to go on walks and be around nature and the sea,” Paula said. “Reading, having coffee, and spending time with my people helps me relax.” She also shared a personal detail that reflects her personality. “I love to eat, but I don’t love to cook. And I really love to dance.”

Her breakthrough at the professional level came in 2021, when she won her first WTA title at the Serbia Ladies Open in Belgrade. That same year, she captured the biggest title of her career at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final. The victory helped propel her into the Top 10, and in April 2022 she reached a career high ranking of world No. 2. She added another major title at the Sydney Tennis Classic in 2022 and later won the Washington Open in 2024.

After dealing with injuries, she focused on rebuilding her confidence and rhythm. “Right now, it’s about getting matches and feeling confident again,” Paula explained. “I’m an aggressive baseliner, and I want to keep playing my style and being consistent.” She also maintains habits that help her recover mentally during tournaments. “I try to keep my phone away before sleep, and sometimes I do breathing and meditation. It helps with the stress we have on tour.”

The conditions at the Miami Open require specific adjustments, especially compared to other tournaments. Badosa approaches those challenges with a clear tactical focus. “It’s completely different, especially coming from California,” she said. “I try to stay aggressive, use my serve as a weapon, and focus on the first shot, serve plus one and return plus one.”

Her best result at the Miami Open came in 2022, when she reached the quarterfinals. During that run, she earned key wins before losing to Jessica Pegula in the last eight.

Paula Badosa's stats:

Age: 28 (15 November 1997)

Birth place: New York City, New York

Career high: World No. 2

Single titles: 4

Miami Open Best: Quarter Finals in 2022

Prize Money: US$ 9,278,923

www.instagram.com/paulabadosa