Iga Swiatek shares what she told Paula Badosa on court after beating her at the Billie Jean King Cup finals
Iga Swiatek told Paula Badosa something she wants to experience with her during their careers.
The pair shared a pleasant exchange at the net after their Billie Jean King Cup finals match in Malaga.
Despite the support of the home crowd, Badosa could not get the better of Iga Swiatek, who sent Poland into the quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old is leading from the front and she aims to help her country win the Billie Jean King Cup, formerly the Fed Cup, for the first time in its history.
What did Iga Swiatek say to Paula Badosa after their Billie Jean King Cup finals match?
Swiatek contested an entertaining three-set battle in round one of the Billie Jean King Cup finals against Paula Badosa.
The reigning French Open champion took the first set, before Badosa battled to take the second on a tiebreak. But the Pole regrouped and stormed through set three to claim a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 win on Friday.
At the net, they hugged one another and Badosa, who was celebrating her 27th birthday, joked with Swiatek: “Thanks for ruining my birthday!”
The Spaniard posted on Instagram stories after: “It was very nice to share the court with you again. You made me realise I still have to work a bit more, keep inspiring.”
After winning her latest encounter with Badosa, Swiatek had a wish for her and the former World number two and it includes playing one another on the biggest stage.
Iga Swiatek sends Poland into Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals
Poland faced a tricky opening round encounter at the Billie Kean King Cup against the hosts Spain.
Magna Linette took on Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first match of the tie and she won a near four-hour epic to put Poland ahead.
It was up to Swiatek to send Poland through to the next round and she did just that, and Poland will face 11-time champions Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.
“I wouldn’t say I pushed us to quarterfinals,” Swiatek said during her on-court interview after the win via the WTA website.
“Magda played an amazing match in the morning. We both did it. I’m really happy that we finally won a match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.”
