Paula Badosa joked that Iga Swiatek ruined her birthday, while the Pole approached the Spaniard for a little conversation following their Billie Jean King Cup Finals battle.
On Friday, the Spanish tennis star – who was celebrating her 27th birthday – took on the five-time Grand Slam champion in front of a packed crowd in Malaga. While the former world No. 2 competed extremely well and delivered big fight, she ultimately fell short after the Pole clinched a 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-1 win.
Sadly for Badosa and the rest of the team, that meant that Spain was eliminated from the competition. Earlier that day, Sara Sorribes Tormo lost to Magda Linette so the 27-year-old was n a must-win situation against Swiatek.
“Too good @iga.swiatek thank you for ruining my bday (laughing emoji). It was very nice to share the court with you again. You made me realize I still have to work my butt off a bit more (laughing emoji). Keep inspiring (heart emoji),” the world No. 12 captioned her Instagram Story after the match.
The 23-year-old responded with some classy words: “Thank you ©paulabadosa. It’s such a privilege to share court with you.”
Why Swiatek went to Badosa after the match?
After sharing a warm embrace at the net, the four-time French Open winner also went to the Spaniard’s bench. There, they spoke a little bit before before leaving the court. It should be noted that there never appeared to be any tension between the two while they were talking.
When asked about it in her post-match presser, Swiatek revealed that she went to apologize but was told by Badosa that it wasn’t an issue at all. The Polish tennis star didn’t disclose about what exactly she felt the need to apologize.
“Well, not really. It was, like, only between us. But I wanted to apologize for something that happened during the match. She was totally fine with it, like, probably was only in my head,” the former world No. 1 said.
However, Swiatek did share the kind words she had for the 27-year-old.
“I just said that I’m happy that she’s back and she’s playing such good quality. I told her at the end that hopefully we’re going to play Grand Slam final soon together,” the Pole added.
After beating Badosa to seal Poland’s win, the 23-year-old refused to take all the credit. Instead, she underlined that Linette edging out Sorribes Tormo in a match that lasted nearly four hours was as important as her victory.
“I wouldn’t say I pushed us to the QF. Magda played an amazing match in the morning. We both did it. The whole Polish team. We’re here as team Poland. I’m happy we won a match on Billie Jean King Cup finals,” Swiatek reflected.
Badosa explains what makes Swiatek different from the rest
After dropping the first set, the home favorite was also twice down by a break in the second set. But she refused to quit and twice managed to get back into the set and ultimately force a tie-break – which she won. Following a second set that lasted an hour and 12 minutes, the Spaniard didn’t manage to keep up with the same intensity and easily lost the third set with just one game won.
Later, she admitted to Spanish reporters that she was tired while Swiatek’s physicallity didn’t drop a bit. That’s when she realized that the 23-year-old was on “another level” physically-wise to the majority of other players.
“She maintained the level throughout the match, and the most noticeable difference was in terms of physicality. In that aspect, she is at a higher level; that’s why she was the world number one for three consecutive years and won so much. There is a significant gap there with the others, and today I experienced it firsthand,” Badosa explained.
“This match made me realize that the level is there, but I have been seeing it for a long time now, and one must work physically hard to withstand that demand throughout the three-hour match. I won’t deny that I am leaving content with the year; there has been a significant change from mid-year until now. Coming back from an injury is not easy. Although I lost today, I am proud of myself.”
Before the match, the Pole revealed that she was concerned about the Spanish tennis player after hearing about her chronic back issue but also very happy to see the former world No. 2 being able to resume her career and now doing very well again.
Meanwhile, Swiatek now leads the head-to-head against Badosa 2-1.