Madrid was a springboard to success for Paula Badosa last spring.

Today, the Spanish No. 1 suffered a homecoming hurting.

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Former world No. 1 Simona Halep streaked through nine straight games dismissing Badosa 6-3, 6-1.

It was a doubly difficult defeat for Badosa, who was bothered by a shoulder issue and will now lose the No. 2 ranking. Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova surpasses Badosa in the live rankings to regain No. 2.

"Yeah, it's not the best moment right now. Quite bad," Badosa told the media in Madrid. "I don't know. It's tough to lose at home. It's been a tough week, as well. Very stressful, a lot of things. Tough draw, as well. But it goes how it goes, and I have to accept it.

"I think I need days off, because there are some tournaments that they seem like five, and this is the case right now. So, yeah, I think I will have to rest a little bit."



The 2021 Indian Wells champion candidly discussed the pressure she felt playing at home before the tournament began. The second-seeded Badosa joined third-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, the 2021 champion, and fifth-seeded Karolina Pliskova in falling from the field.

Badosa summed up today's loss as a case of two-time champion Halep playing at a high level while the Spaniard struggled to land shots between the lines.

"Well, I missed absolutely everything. That's why I was only able to win four games," Badosa said. "She played really, really well. Served well. She's been really quick with her foot game. At the important moments, the ball fell her side, and at the end of the day we just have to give her an applause. That's why she's a champion in this sport."

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