Victoria Azarenka said it was “really sad” seeing Paula Badosa being forced to retire during their Guadalajara round-of-16 match. After Azarenka easily won the first set with a 6-2 score, Badosa retired due to illness.
“You never want anybody to retire, we go out here to compete and do our best. It’s really sad that Paula wasn’t able to finish the match. I hope she recovers quickly. I’m sure we’re going to have a few more matches to play, so I’m looking forward to those,” Azarenka said, per the WTA website.
Azarenka loves Mexico
Last year, the WTA Finals took place in Guadalajara. Even though Azarenka didn’t participate at the 2021 WTA Finals, she heard very positive things about the Mexican city. “I heard a lot of great things in Guadalajara from last year from the Finals, that the energy was really great.
That’s really what kind of motivates me the most to go out there and play, so that was really nice,” Azarenka said. Azarenka, 33, is slowly entering the final phase of her career. Once she is done with professional tennis, she may move to Mexico.
“It’s one of the most welcoming places to come, such amazing energy, such great support. I was actually thinking when I do retire, where would be the place I want to retire and actually, Mexico might be on the top of the list,” Azarenka said of Mexico.
Meanwhile, Azarenka was playing against Badosa for the third time. Last year, Azarenka and Badosa clashed in the Indian Wells final. Back then, Badosa claimed a tight three-set win to win her first WTA 1000 title. At the start of this season in Adelaide, Azarenka routed Badosa in straight sets.
This week in Guadalajara, Azarenka made a very strong start to their match, but Badosa was clearly hampered by the illness and it was affecting her game.
