“I’m the responsible one, I carry us"- Paula Badosa hilariously confirms US Open mixed doubles partnership with "amazing" boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas
Paula Badosa has confirmed her 2024 US Open Open mixed doubles participation with boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas. After multiple withdrawals as a duo from Majors, the couple is set to make their Grand Slam debut after winning an exhibition event ahead of the New York Major.
Badosa began her singles campaign at the US Open with a comfortable 6-0, 6-3 victory over Viktorija Golubic, and will next face Taylor Townsend in the second round. In a post-match interview, the former World No. 2 confirmed that she would be playing the mixed doubles event with Tsitsipas, while joking that she was the responsible one on the team.
"I’m the responsible one on the mixed doubles team... I carry us," Badosa said.
The pair started dating in 2023 but briefly broke up earlier this year before getting back together. They were scheduled to play mixed doubles together at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships and the 2024 French Open but that couldn't happen.
During her interview, the Spaniard added that Tsitsipas makes a good partner in doubles:
"Of course, he’s an amazing tennis player, so that helps so much... He has an amazing serve and an amazing volley. He makes my life very easy there, you know? I’m like, ‘Ok, you just ace it, and I’m just there!’"
This year, the couple participated in the "Mixed Madness" exhibition event leading up to the 2024 US Open. They were one of four mixed doubles teams at the event including the pairs of Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton, and Amanda Anisimova and Taylor Fritz. Badosa and Tsitsipas won the event, taking home the $250,000 prize at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Paula Badosa opens up on "strength" before US Open 2024 mixed doubles with boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas
At the 2024 US Open "Mixed Madness" event, one of Paula Badosa's biggest takeaways, according to her, was being able to return Ben Shelton’s serve. The young American's serving prowess is well-known as his serves can clock nearly 150 miles per hour. Sharing her experience of facing Shelton's serves, Badosa says being able to "handle the man" helps her in mixed doubles.
“I think it helps that I’m a strong player who can handle the man... That may be the most important part of the mixed, the fact that I can return the man’s serve," Badosa said.
The mixed doubles draw for the 2024 US Open was unveiled recently and the pairing of Badosa and Tsitsipas will open their campaign against Mexicans Giuliana Olmos and Santiago Gonzalez.