Paula Badosa opens up on 'tough' clash with Katie Boulter at the French Open... and reveals why she thinks Roland Garros should be named after her 'idol' Rafael Nadal

After two years away from the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros, Paula Badosa will have perhaps been hoping for a slightly smoother re-entry than a clash with 26th seed Katie Boulter. 

The Spanish star will take on Boulter, Britain's primary hope in the women's draw, in the first round, in what will be their first meeting on court on Monday. 

Boulter may not have the best record on clay, but comes into the French Open having picked up a first WTA 500 title at San Diego in March, and has broken into the top 30 for the first time.

Badosa grew up on clay and has a terrific record in Paris, but knows she is in for a 'tough' battle, as she admits at a promotional event for the release of new video game Top Spin 2K25. 

'Yeah it's gonna be a tough match,' Badosa says. 'We know each other. We never played. We practised so many times. [She's a] nice, nice girl - I think that's important, but [she is also a] very tough one. 

'She had a very good start of the year. She's been playing also an entire year to be a little different than me, but I'm feeling good. I'm feeling motivated for the match. It's going to be a tough one, but I like this kind of battle.'

It has been a tough period for Badosa, who rocketed to World No 2 in April 2022 before struggling with injury during large portions of 2023, notably suffering a stress fracture in her lower back.

She was forced to retire in the second round of last year's Wimbledon tournament, her only appearance at the four slams of 2023, but has started the 2024 season well, reaching the third round in Melbourne at the Australian Open. 

'I'm looking to come back stronger, step by step. I've been feeling good this past two weeks. That's important for me, but it's a process. It's a process because it's not an easy injury. 

'But for the moment, I'm feeling pretty good. And the most important that I'm excited again, emotionally I'm okay, and I think if that's okay, the rest will come.'

Now, ranked 140 in the WTA standings, Badosa returns to Roland Garros where she has a 75 per cent win rate looking to continue that return to her best form on conditions that she knows suit her game. 

Back in 2021 the Spaniard made it to the quarter finals, her highest ever finish at a slam.

'I grew up in this surface. I like the conditions here it's pretty bouncy. Also, I like to play with spin, pretty fast at the same time. 

'I feel comfortable here. I like to play here. I like the courts, the conditions. So maybe that's a little bit the reason.'

Badosa's record at Roland Garros is impressive, but there is none for whom the clay courts in the French capital have been a happy hunting ground more so than Rafael Nadal. 

The Spanish icon - who many would argue has the strongest claim to being the greatest to ever pick up a tennis racket - has not ruled out a return to the iconic courts next year, but is expected to retire later this season.

He isn't called the King of Clay for nothing. Losing just three of his 155 matches at Roland Garros, Nadal returns on Monday against Alexander Zverev in an extremely tough draw against one of the contenders to go all the way. 

His statistics at the French Open alone read like an extremely one-sided game of Top Trumps. 

On three occasions he has gone at least four years unbeaten in Paris, he has never lost a final - nor has he dropped more than a set in doing so - and has the highest win percentage of any player, at any grand slam in history (97.4 per cent).

With a scarcely believable 14 titles to his name at the French Open, the first of those coming at 19 on his first attempt, Badosa believes that Roland Garros perhaps ought to be re-named in honour of its greatest ever participant.

'Rafa Nadal was a big idol of mine and the woman's side, Maria Sharapova also,' Badosa admits. 'These two players both inspired me very much to play the sport, for sure. 

'I think this tournament has to have his name almost, because he won it so many times. And, yeah, it's Roland Garros. For me, it's like, when I think about Roland Garros, I think about Rafa Nadal. 

'I mean, as a Spaniard, as a follower, as a fan of Rafa, I feel very sad that maybe this can be his last year playing here. 

'So I mean, not only for me, I think for all of us, he represents tennis and he's been an example for so many of us. So of course, it's sad that maybe it's the last time.'

The future of Spanish tennis is oh so bright, with the likes of Badosa and Carlos Alcaraz picking up the enormous torch that Nadal will eventually put down for one last time.

But like most of us, Badosa will be hoping that Nadal can pull off one last masterful campaign before hanging up his racket - whenever that may be - and keep that flame burning for at least little while longer. 

Badosa was speaking to Mail Sport courtesy of Top Spin 2K25, the latest instalment of the popular tennis video game franchise, which is available HERE.