World No. 3 Paula Badosa thought it was “beautiful” to see Rafael Nadal playing alongside Roger Federer in the Swiss’ final match.
Last Friday in London, Federer retired from professional tennis by teaming up with Nadal at the Laver Cup.
The O2 Arena was fully packed and Federer’s farewell was absolutely spectacular.
While Nadal and Federer were competing on the court, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray supported them from the Team Europe bench.
“It was very emotional. I think it made it more beautiful to be among rivals for so many years. For me, it was something super emotional. But of course, he is a perfect athlete,” Badosa said on the Spanish radio sports program El Larguero.
Badosa on if she’ll have a Federer-Nadal-like rivalry
Over the last 12 months, Badosa has turned into one of the best players in women’s tennis.
But she doesn’t really think that she will have a rivalry with someone like Nadal and Federer.
However, Badosa did acknowledge that she has one close friend on the WTA Tour and it’s Aryna Sabalenka.
“I don’t know, I will never have a rivalry like that of Rafa and Roger. At the moment I don’t have a rivalry like that, but out of friendship, Aryna Sabalenka,” Badosa said.
Meanwhile, Badosa didn’t play in any tournaments this week.
Last week, Badosa kicked off her indoor-hard swing in Tokyo.
In the Japanese capital, Badosa had a first-round bye before she suffered a surprise defeat to rising Chinese Qinwen Zheng.
Around this time last year, Badosa enjoyed one of the best days of her career.
Last year’s WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells was pushed back to October, which worked out pretty well for Badosa.
In Indian Wells last year, Badosa captured her first WTA 1000 title and broke into the top-15 for the first time in her career.
It remains to be seen if this part of the year will again be good for Badosa.