Paula Badosa brought a touch of humor to what was otherwise a bittersweet day, joking that Iga Swiatek “ruined” her birthday during their intense match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The match, held in front of a lively crowd in Malaga on Friday, coincided with Badosa’s 27th birthday but ended with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 victory for Swiatek, marking the Pole’s dominance on the court. Despite Badosa’s best efforts and a fiercely competitive second set, her defeat meant the elimination of Spain from the tournament.
Earlier that day, the Spanish team faced a setback when Sara Sorribes Tormo fell to Magda Linette, placing Badosa in a must-win situation against the formidable five-time Grand Slam champion. While Badosa’s tenacity and skill shone throughout, Swiatek’s relentless power and consistency proved too much. Following the match, Badosa displayed grace and humor, sharing an Instagram Story in which she praised Swiatek’s performance and reflected on the challenge. “Too good @iga.swiatek thank you for ruining my bday (laughing emoji). It was very nice to share the court with you again. You made me realize I still have to work my butt off a bit more (laughing emoji). Keep inspiring (heart emoji),” she wrote. Swiatek, true to her sportsmanship, responded with a gracious message: “Thank you @paulabadosa. It’s such a privilege to share court with you.”
The camaraderie between the two players extended beyond the match. After their warm embrace at the net, Swiatek approached Badosa on the bench for a brief conversation. While speculation surrounded the nature of their exchange, any tension appeared absent. During the post-match press conference, Swiatek revealed she had gone over to apologize to Badosa for an undisclosed incident during the match. However, she emphasized that Badosa assured her it was not a problem. “Well, not really. It was, like, only between us. But I wanted to apologize for something that happened during the match. She was totally fine with it, like, probably was only in my head,” Swiatek explained. She added further praise for her opponent, stating, “I just said that I’m happy that she’s back and she’s playing such good quality. I told her at the end that hopefully we’re going to play a Grand Slam final soon together.”
Swiatek’s humility extended to her reflections on Poland’s overall performance. While her victory over Badosa was critical, she was quick to highlight Linette’s pivotal role in defeating Sorribes Tormo in a grueling match earlier that day. “I wouldn’t say I pushed us to the QF. Magda played an amazing match in the morning. We both did it. The whole Polish team. We’re here as team Poland. I’m happy we won a match on Billie Jean King Cup finals,” Swiatek said.
Badosa, despite the disappointment, showcased great resilience in her battle against Swiatek. After dropping the first set, she found herself trailing twice in the second. Yet, she refused to back down, clawing her way back each time to force a tie-break, which she eventually won after an hour and 12 minutes of intense play. Unfortunately, the physical toll of the match caught up with her, and Swiatek’s stamina and strength shone through in the deciding set, which the Pole claimed with ease.
Speaking to Spanish reporters afterward, Badosa acknowledged the physical challenge Swiatek presented, noting the stark difference in endurance and strength. “She maintained the level throughout the match, and the most noticeable difference was in terms of physicality. In that aspect, she is at a higher level; that’s why she was the world number one for three consecutive years and won so much. There is a significant gap there with the others, and today I experienced it firsthand,” Badosa admitted. She continued, “This match made me realize that the level is there, but I have been seeing it for a long time now, and one must work physically hard to withstand that demand throughout the three-hour match. I won’t deny that I am leaving content with the year; there has been a significant change from mid-year until now. Coming back from an injury is not easy. Although I lost today, I am proud of myself.”
Before the match, Swiatek expressed concern and admiration for Badosa, acknowledging the Spaniard’s struggles with chronic back issues. Seeing her competitor back on court and performing at a high level was heartening for the Polish star. Their mutual respect was evident not just in their words but in the way they pushed each other on the court.
With this victory, Swiatek now leads their head-to-head record 2-1. The matchup between these two talented athletes exemplifies the spirit of competition and camaraderie in women’s tennis. For Badosa, the experience serves as both a reminder of the hard work still ahead and a celebration of how far she has come. Meanwhile, Swiatek’s journey continues, with her sights set on further triumphs in the Billie Jean King Cup and beyond. The clash of their talents offers a tantalizing preview of what might be a defining rivalry in the sport, blending fierce competition with genuine mutual respect.