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Paula Badosa extinguishes Laura Siegemund in Miami heater after hitting with ballperson during MTO

The Spaniard overcame a gritty opponent—and a combined 25 minutes of match delays—to launch her Miami Open bid Thursday.

ByMatt Fitzgerald

Published Mar 23, 2023

When Paula Badosa took the court Thursday for her Miami Open match with Laura Siegemund, the temperature was just under 80 degrees °F. By the time the third set rolled around, it may as well have been triple digits.

After winning the opening set, 7-6 (2), Badosa was forced to wait nearly 11 minutes when the German left the court. Though she laughed it off, things turned more serious as Siegemund hit back by grabbing set two, 6-4.

Up 2-0 to start the decider, Badosa was pushed by her opponent in the longest game of the clash. Every time she held game point, Siegemund seemingly clawed back. Here’s what went down the rest of the way:

Siegemund didn’t hold back in showing her emotion during the crucial 16-point game. Her forehand had a lot to say about that.

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Badosa, though, finally consolidated the break on her seventh chance—and she let Siegemund have it with three passionate screams of “Vamos!”

As she sat for the changeover, Badosa could only shake her head knowing what was about to come.

Siegemund had called for a medical timeout, but it took four and half minutes for help to arrive. Two more minutes passed by before it was decided the 35-year-old needed to leave the court for treatment.

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The chair umpire asked the ballperson crew if anyone played tennis. When the idea was floated to Badosa as a means to stay warm, she accepted.

No mercy was shown by the Spaniard in the end—nevertheless it's a moment this volunteer won't soon forget.

Badosa never blinked once play resumed after more than 14 minutes had elapsed between points. When all was said and done, the two exchanged a respectful handshake.

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The No. 21 seed scored her first tour-level victory over Siegemund, who previously claimed their fourth-round meeting at 2020 Roland Garros.

A year ago, Badosa arrived at the 1000-level event as the world No. 7, advancing to the quarterfinals. An illness forced Badosa to retire five games into her clash with Jessica Pegula.

In the third round, the now 29th-ranked Badosa could get a shot at avenging her Indian Wells defeat to eventual champion Elena Rybakina if the No. 10 seed advances past Anna Kalinskaya. Rybakina and Badosa also teamed up at the BNP Paribas Open, falling in their opener.

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