By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, October 17, 2021
Playing the biggest final of her life, Paula Badosa delivered her most dynamic tennis when it mattered most.
Victoria Azarenka served for the match at 5-4, 30-love, but Badosa roared back for a 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(2) triumph in a three hour, four-minute epic to make history as the first Spanish woman to win Indian Wells.
More: Badosa Makes History with Indian Wells Title
The 23-year-old Badosa capped a wondrous week that saw her defeat three Grand Slam champions—reigning Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova, three-time major winner Angelique Kerber and two-time Grand Slam champion Azarenka—improving to 2-0 in career finals.
After Badosa won the longest women's final in Indian Wells history, she shared lessons learned: nothing is impossible.
"I think the first thing that I've learned this week is that nothing is impossible. If you fight, if you work, after all these years, you can achieve anything," Badosa said. "That's the first message that I see that could happen. And to dream. Sometimes you have tough moments. In my case I have been through tough moments.
"I never stopped dreaming. That's what kept me working hard and believing until the last moment. Today was the same, so I'm really proud of it."
It's been a rocket rise for Badosa, who started the season ranked No. 70 and has ascended to a career-high No. 11 in the live rankings.
Staying power proved pivotal: Badosa raised her three-set record to 16-6. Prevailing in a punishing battle makes this Indian Wells championship even more satisfying for Badosa.
"I felt really good. I really loved to play out there. It was a really tough match," Badosa said. "I know she was going to play amazing because these kind of champions, they play very good on the finals. So I knew I had to play a very good one, as well, to fight. That's what I did.
"I enjoyed. Of course, I suffered in some moments because it was my first final, big final like this one. I really wanted to win it. So of course you suffer. I think I enjoyed it because I think we played a very good match."
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook