Former world quantity two Paula Badosa stated she felt like a high athlete once more after placing her damage woes behind her to assert a primary title in additional than two years on the Washington Open.
Badosa reached her career-high rating in 2022, a number of months after capturing the title in Sydney, however the 26-year-old Spaniard drifted from the highlight after a string of points together with a again damage that proved exhausting to beat.
After making her return to the tour in January following a prolonged break, medical doctors suggested her towards taking part in on hardcourts or danger additional issues in her profession.
Nonetheless, she continued to battle by and on Sunday was rewarded with a fourth title after a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Czech Marie Bouzkova on the WTA 500 hardcourt occasion within the U.S. capital.
“One yr in the past I used to be on the sofa, so it’s a giant distinction now. I’m an athlete once more … profitable a title after two years,” Badosa informed reporters.
“I’ve performed 4 finals and gained the 4 of them. That’s what I had on my thoughts right now within the third set. I’m like ‘Paula, you’re able to doing this in one other remaining’.
“I feel now I’m in a very good place.”
Badosa’s run in Washington D.C. included wins over former Grand Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Sofia Kenin and leaves her in good type forward of the U.S. Open beginning on Aug. 26.
“I felt earlier than I used to be at a reasonably excessive degree as a result of I’m taking part in towards the most effective gamers and I’m shut,” stated Badosa, who climbed to quantity 40 on the earth on Monday.
“I feel I’m on my means. I don’t wish to say I’m again as a result of I don’t know. I wish to take a look at myself a bit extra.”