Paula Badosa sends heartfelt wish to Emma Raducanu on Brit's 22nd birthday
Paula Badosa sent heartfelt birthday wishes to Emma Raducanu, highlighting their blossoming friendship. The two have grown close enough to even have special nicknames for each other—Paulita and Emmita.
Raducanu turned 22 on Wednesday, November 13, and Badosa took to her Instagram Story to wish her friend. The Spaniard posted an image of the pair hugging at the net after their recent clash at the Citi Open with the caption:
"Happy bday Emmita."
During the grasscourt season this year, Raducanu took to her Instagram story to reveal the playful nicknames she and Badosa had come up with for each other. Paula became "Paulita," while Emma was dubbed "Emmita."
Badosa and Raducanu grew closer this year at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., where they bonded both on and off the court. Sharing meals and conversations, they connected over the pressures of fame and the high expectations that come with it. Before their semifinal match, Paula Badosa shared (via WTA):
"We went for lunch, for breakfast. We spoke a lot about how tough it is to deal with all these expectations - especially in her case. I had a little bit of the same in my career. Especially when you feel that anything you do, it's going to be crazy on social media. In her case, it's like that. I think she's dealing with it pretty well now."
The two were also training partners at the event, and when they finally faced each other in the semifinal, Badosa won 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. She went on to win the title—her first in two years.
Recently, Badosa described Raducanu in a Q&A on her Instagram Story using just three words:
"Strong, fighter, and beautiful"
Paula Badosa and Emma Raducanu prepare to participate in Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2024
Paula Badosa and Emma Raducanu have caught up with each other in Malaga, Spain, as they prepare for their Billie Jean King Cup Finals ties.
A strong Spanish squad featuring Badosa along with Jessica Bouzas, Cristina Bucsa, Sara Sorribes Tormo, and Nuria Parrizas Diaz will take on Poland featuring Iga Swiatek and others. The winner of their tie will take on Czech Republic in the quarterfinal.
Meanwhile, Raducanu will be joined by Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and Olivia Nicholls to face Germany. The winner of their tie will face Canada in the quarterfinals.