Paula Badosa, 25, revealed she didn’t like being compared to Maria Sharapova because it was putting enormous pressure on her. When Badosa won the 2015 French Open girls’ singles title, she was called by some “the new Sharapova.” Just like Sharapova, Badosa was a tall young talented player with a big game.
Sharapova won Wimbledon at 17 and she became the world No 1 after turning 18. Sharapova was doing major things during her teenage years and Badosa knew what it meant to be compared to the former five-time Grand Slam champion.
“It bothered me not because they compared me to a legend who played tennis very well and was also very elegant, but it put pressure on me that I was not used to and that I did not know how to manage. Everyone expected her to be top ten at 18 years old and she was not physically, mentally or tennis ready for it,” Badosa told Marca.
Badosa still dreams of winning a Grand Slam, becoming No 1
Badosa has a WTA 1000 title and last year achieved a career-high ranking of No 2 in the world. But Badosa hasn’t really had much success on the Grand Slam stage as she just one quarterfinal achieved at the 2021 French Open.
Badosa, now ranked at No 31 in the world, believes she still has time to accomplish her two biggest goals. “Yes, of course. The dream and idea…
