In Conversation: Paula Badosa goes deep on the challenges of coming back

As the Hologic WTA Tour winds through the clay season, Maria Sakkari joins the podcast to discuss the realities of life as a touring professional. From reviewing invoices to enduring daily performance reviews, sometimes a job is still just a job.

How'd she do that? Iga Swiatek isn't entirely sure. The World No.1 joins the podcast to discuss her incredible match-point-saving win over Aryna Sabalenka to win her first Mutua Madrid Open title and 20th Hologic WTA Tour title overall. 

Taylor Townsend isn't here for any asterisks or qualifiers next to her name. The fan-favorite American joins the podcast in Miami to discuss the challenges of living a full and balanced life as a professional tennis player. 

From a prodigious junior career to World No.2, Spain's Paula Badosa has been through it all. Now, as she plots her comeback from a serious back injury, she joins the podcast to discuss the struggle to get back where she belongs.

At just 21 years old, Zheng Qinwen started her season by becoming the first Chinese player to make a Grand Slam final since her idol, Li Na. But she's not resting on her laurels. Zheng joins the podcast to discuss her preternatural confidence and how she's keeping her feet planted firmly on the ground. 

Katie Boulter's hard work is paying off. The top-ranked Brit picked up her second career title at the Cymbiotika San Diego Open in February and boosted her to a new career-high ranking at No.27. As she looks to build on that momentum during the clay season, Boulter joined the podcast to discuss why everything is coming together for her now.

Danielle Collins couldn't dream up a better farewell tour after her stunning run to the biggest title of her career at the Miami Open. After announcing her decision to retire at the end of this season, Collins is already having one of the best seasons of her career. She joins the podcast after her emotional win to reflect on her bare-knuckled 10-year journey to become a WTA 1000 champion. 

World No.1 Iga Swiatek did not lose a set on her way to winning her second BNP Paribas Open title. After a quick coast-to-coast turnaround, she's gearing up for the Miami Open, where she could become the second woman to win the Sunshine Double twice.  Swiatek joins the podcast to discuss the challenge of trying to do something you already know you can do. 

Emma Navarro is living the good life. The 22-year-old from Charleston is closing in on her Top 20 debut after beating No.2 Aryna Sabalenka at the BNP Paribas Open, the biggest win of her career so far. Navarro joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of her self-belief and relive her sobering Hologic WTA Tour debut in 2019.

Anna Blinkova is in the midst of an incredible season. The 25-year-old has already beaten two top-five players and won a historic tiebreak at the Australian Open in January. She joins the podcast from the BNP Paribas Open to reflect on her rise, re-live her wild ride on Rod Laver Arena, and discuss her passions for language and literature.