WATCH: Compatriot Rafael Nadal Analyses Paula Badosa’s Game as She Advances to Second Week at Australian Open 2022

Spain for long has been a country that has given tennis some of its biggest names. With the likes of players such as Rafael Nadal and Conchita Martinez, young tennis players from the country often look upon players like these as their idols. 

One such young player is the current world number 6, Paula Badosa. Winning the 2015 French Open Girls singles title, Badosa climbed to success with the years that followed. Though Paula had Maria Sharapova as her childhood idol, the latter has always been vocal about her being an admirer of Rafael Nadal.

Yesterday, on 20th January, Paula Badosa had a friendly meeting with Rafael Nadal on the sidelines of the Australian Open. While Badosa was attending her practice session at the Australian Open, Nadal was seen sitting and watching her practice on the court. 

The fangirl moment for Paula Badosa

A Rafael Nadal fan, on 20th January 2022, took to her Twitter, posting a video of the player. In the video, Rafael Nadal was seen sitting on the courtside, while Paula Badosa was seen practicing on the court. The fan captioned the video, ‘Paula Badosa just arrived. Rafa watching her a bit.’

The fan soon posted another video. This time, the video showed the two players meeting and giving an elbow bump to each other. In the video, Badosa is seen shying away and stealing a glance from the former world number one.

Paula Badosa has often been heard saying that she used to get nervous when she used to be around Nadal. She has also been heard claiming that she would hide in the washroom when she would see Nadal coming up to her. 

Also Read- “I Would Go to the Bathroom”: Paula Badosa Admits Being Shy in Front of Idol Rafael Nadal

“I remember in some tournament of he would come to greet me and I would half hide or when I saw him coming I would go to the bathroom so he wouldn’t see me because he wouldn’t come out or introduce myself because I got very nervous. But now I’m getting used to it,” the 24-year-old has been quoted saying in an interview. 

Rafael Nadal and Paula Badosa at the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal has started off his Australian Open campaign on a high note. Nadal, chasing his 21st grand slam at Melbourne Park, has cruised into the 3rd round with complete ease. Winning the first two rounds in straight sets, the 6th seed is set to Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the third round. 

Paula Badosa also seems to follow her idol’s steps. Losing in the 1st round of last year’s Australian Open, Badosa doesn’t seem likely to repeat the same this time. The 8th seed has entered the 4th round while dropping just one set up until now. She will now face USA’s Madison Keys. 

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