Paula Badosa extends gratitude to Iga Swiatek after Pole’s kind words of support ahead of potential Billie Jean King Cup Finals clash
Paula Badosa extends gratitude to Iga Swiatek after Pole’s kind words of support ahead of potential Billie Jean King Cup Finals clash
Paula Badosa extends gratitude to Iga Swiatek after Pole’s kind words of support ahead of potential Billie Jean King Cup Finals clash
Pole Iga Swiatek and Spaniard Paula Badosa are set to lead their respective nations at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup. Poland and Spain are pitted against each other for a first-round showdown on Wednesday, November 13, at Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga.
The Polish side will go into the tournament with Magdalena Frech, Magda Linette among others accompanying Swiatek, whereas Spain will have Sara Sorribes Tormo, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and others alongside Badosa.
In all likelihood, Swiatek (2) and Badosa (12), the highest-ranked singles players in their respective sides, will be facing each other for a singles match on Wednesday at the Billie Jean King Cup.
Ahead of their potential face-off, Swiatek shared some kind words for Badosa in the wake of her resurgence following a rough patch due to injuries that have troubled her since the 2023 Italian Open.
“I was actually, you know, looking at her [Paula Badosa’s] journey, and I was kind of worried if she was going to be able to come back, because obviously her injuries weren’t easy and smooth, and sometimes she tried but it wasn’t working,” the World No. 2 said during a press conference in Malaga.
“So honestly, I was super happy to see her back playing her tennis on these tournaments, on US Open and plenty of others. Yeah, she’s a really, really nice person, and I felt like, you know, she’s really pushing to be back. Anybody who has this kind of grit and determination, you know, deserves to be there,” she added.
In response, Badosa extended her gratitude to Swiatek with a post on X:
“Thank you Iga, you are great as always.”
Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa are tied in head-to-head
In Picture: Paula Badosa (L) with Iga Swiatek (Getty)In Picture: Paula Badosa (L) with Iga Swiatek (Getty)
Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa have thus far clashed twice on the WTA Tour with their head-to-head tied at 1-1.
The duo first met each other during the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. This was a Round of 32 meeting that went Badosa’s way. The Spaniard won the match in straight sets (6-3, 7-6(4)) and played until the quarterfinals.
They battled on the court again in 2021, when Swiatek got her revenge on Badosa. The Pole handed Badosa a straight-set loss (7-5, 6-4) in a group-stage encounter but failed to qualify for the semifinals.
The winner of Wednesday’s match between Poland and Spain will qualify for the quarterfinals of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup and face Czechia.
