Paula Badosa admitted she was a “complete disaster” after feeling like “an ant” following a stunning collapse in the second set of her US Open quarter-final loss to Emma Navarro on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Spaniard gave up a 5-1 lead in the second set as her American opponent came back to win 6-2, 7-5 and reach her first Grand Slam semifinal.
“I was a total disaster. I never had the momentum I needed in that match. It was 5-1, but I never felt at home on the court,” said Badosa, who was playing her first quarter-final in her hometown.
“I didn’t feel comfortable serving and playing from the baseline. That’s my biggest strength. I think it surprised me today.”
She added: “I think losing a set after being 5-1 up, that’s never happened to me before. There’s always a first time for everything, so unfortunately it had to happen today. I lost almost 20 points in a row. It’s very strange.”
However, Badosa said her summer of ups and downs will provide her with some solace.
Three months ago, she was on the verge of retiring due to a persistent back injury that forced her to abandon several matches and caused her ranking to slip out of the top 100.
Nevertheless, she won the hard court title in Washington and came to the US Open with her world ranking back in the top 30.
“When I started in Washington, I signed for all the results,” she said.
“But now I have to wait four months for the next Slam, which is really annoying. When you feel so bad and have such negative thoughts, you just want to leave because you end up becoming an ant.”
DJ/JC
