Paula Badosa on why life on WTA Tour is “the most intense there is”

WATCH: Maria Sakkari defeats Paula Badosa in the 2023 Madrid Open fourth round

Paula Badosa has climbed to nearly the top of the WTA rankings, lifted three tour-level trophies and amassed more than $5 million in prize money over the course of her career. But even for her, the relentless pace of the tour can still get overwhelming.

The 25-year-old reflected on her rise up the rankings—from No. 70 to world No. 2 over the course of about eight months—and all the ways it’s changed her life, in a recent series of interviews with Spanish media.

“For me, the tennis circuit is the most intense there is,” Badosa told Glamour Spain this week. “You start the year in January, in Australia, and you finish it in November, in Japan, having traveled through all the continents. It gets very intense.”

“The good thing is that I am doing what I like, which in the end is a passion,” she added. “But it is still mentally very demanding. Yesterday I arrived here from the United States. Today I am in Madrid and the day after tomorrow I am in Germany…

“We are the heads of our own company or team, we have to deal with a lot of people, be it about work issues or economic issues. You grow up very quickly.”

The New York City-born, Barcelona-based player was featured on the cover of Glamour Limited, with a spread photographed by Javier Bosca. Badosa stunned in Balenciaga and Ferragamo designs, with other standout looks including sky blue Loewe and electric blue Atlein dresses styled by Mapi Vidal.

As the WTA Tour celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Badosa also highlighted the progress made in women’s tennis since the days of Billie Jean King’s famous victory—from more equal prize money, to more visibility for athletes to the regular return of working mothers to competition.

"We thank them very much," she said of the Original 9. "We are still fighting for [equality] today, but I think we are on the right track."

It’s a topic that Badosa doubled down on during her appearance on La Resistencia, a Spanish talk show hosted by comedian David Broncano. The rumored exes—both made references to their previous relationship throughout the episode—gave props to Badosa’s good friend, Mutua Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

“In women’s tennis nowadays you can see players serving 200 kph,” she explained. “Obviously there will always be a difference [between men’s and women’s tennis] because our physiques are different, but they are very close now in terms of quality and entertainment. Following women’s tennis is very intense.”

Badosa will be back on court in Rome, after bowing out of Madrid in the fourth round in a run that included a 6-3, 6-0 win over Coco Gauff.

Currently ranked No. 35, Badosa reached back-to-back WTA 500 quarterfinals in Charleston and Stuttgart earlier in the clay season.