“We continue to battle. Come on, guys.
Paula Badosa’s run at the Miami Open ended on Friday, but as she gets ready for the European clay-court circuit, she seems to be in a better spot than when she was last here.
Badosa had written on her X (formerly Twitter) account that she would one day be grinning on a court again after being forced to withdraw from Indian Wells earlier this month due to another setback with her injuries. I appreciate your kind messages. And you give me strength even in the face of adversity.
In the Romanian’s first match back on the circuit since the 2022 US Open, Badosa heroically battled to defeat Simona Halep during the second stop of the Sunshine Double. The two-time Australian Open winner hit the court for the first time since her sadly deceased ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov, who tragically died in Miami at the age of 42 from an apparent suicide. The 26-year-old then faced her best friend Aryna Sabalenka in an emotional second-round match.
Even though Sabalenka won 6-4, 6-3, Badosa subsequently thanked X for allowing her to return to the WTA tournament arena.
I was sitting on a sofa three weeks ago, unsure of when I would be allowed to play again. I was able to play for eight days straight for the first time in about a year after that. I’m pleased and honored by it,” she exclaimed.
“I understand that my skill level is low, but just being on a court is a victory.” Gradually.
Badosa, a three-time WTA champion, is ranked No. 80 going into the new season. Before traveling across the Atlantic, she is expected to perform at the green-clay event in Charleston. Badosa defeated Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 last year after winning three of her matches.
Watch the Badosa-Sabalenka highlights
NETWORK
After TopSpin 2K25 releases the complete player roster, Coco Gauff desires to play as one of the Big Three.
Although Carlos Alcaraz expressed excitement about playing as himself in the upcoming tennis video game, things are very different for the third-ranked player in the WTA.
by Livaudais Stephanie
Printed on March 23, 2024
A2F8606ed747d129 © 062f69380e84c02c1e5e2b31a2f8606ed747d129
Miami, Florida —Even though you can’t play tennis like the Big Three, you’ll soon be able to access all of Rafael Nadal’s and Roger Federer’s greatest strokes via a controller—thanks to the upcoming TopSpin 2K25.
Current and former celebrities like Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Frances Tiafoe will grace the covers of the relaunched video game brand, which is scheduled to launch on April 26.
The game’s publisher 2K Games and developer Hangar 13 increased the anticipation on Friday during the Miami Open by revealing the whole 25-player lineup in addition to a sneak peek at some of their character designs.
While world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz on the ATP claimed he was excited to play as himself, world No. 3 Coco Gauff had quite the opposite opinion.
Being a part of a video game is really cool. She told reporters in Miami that she wasn’t sure how she would feel if she were playing as herself, following her 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Nadia Podoroska.
Who then would Gauff choose to portray on screen? “Likely among the Big Three!”
Gauff will be able to select from at least two of the “Three” because Nadal and Federer will also be competing in TopSpin 2K25. Alongside other retired greats like Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, and others, Federer emphasizes the “Legends” category.
Nadal is one of the eighteen players who are currently active and will be playable when the game launches. In addition to Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, and Caroline Wozniacki, Gauff’s roster also includes Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Andy Murray. (Complete list is provided below.)
“I did the little scan thing that you do for it in Australia, so I knew I was going to be in it,” Gauff said. “To be honest, I never used the game. I’ve witnessed it. To be honest, I don’t play many sports games.
“I’ll give it my best shot and see how I fare. She smiled and said, “I’ve seen a video of it, and the swings look strange.