“We’ve been through a lot,” said Badosa, who was Toledo’s first coaching pupil. “He didn’t know much about women’s sports because he was playing himself and he just retired. I saw how passionate he was and how much he wanted to learn about it, and how much he cares about me.”
For Badosa, who takes a 7-8 record into Charleston, the question of retirement still looms, but in the battle between those two voices, the one telling her to press on remains stronger as she takes on the clay-court swing.
“I still love this sport too much,” smiled Badosa. “I have so much passion for this sport. I notice it every time I come to compete. I have goosebumps no matter where I play. I just love that moment. On the court, I can express myself and I enjoy it. It’s what I’ve been doing all my life and it’s my passion. I also realize how much I love this sport when I go to play with my little sister. I just enjoy the moment of grabbing a racquet and hitting some balls.
“For now, because I love it so much, if the body respects me in a way and I can handle it, I will play until one day when I really want to stop. Right now, these emotions are more powerful than the other one that wants to stop.”
Badosa will play her first round against American Kayla Day on Tuesday.
