Paula Badosa's Inspiring Journey of Resilience and Triumph

Paula Badosa, once on the brink of retirement due to a serious back injury, has staged a remarkable comeback. After battling through doubts and setbacks, she has reached her first-ever grand slam semifinal at the Australian Open.

Badosa's victory over world number three Coco Gauff in the quarterfinal was the tournament's biggest upset. The Spaniard, who has also been open about her mental health struggles, believes her experiences have made her more resilient.

"I think it changed me," she said. "When I win a match like this, I try to, like, soak it all in. Also, I get emotional because it means a lot for me... I wanted it so much."

Badosa's next opponent will be either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The Spaniard feels she is finally returning to her rightful place among the top players in the world.

"I was in the past one of the best players in the world. But I feel now I'm a better player, I'm more mature, I think I manage the emotions a little bit better — not always but sometimes," she said.

"Even though the level was very high and tough and, of course, there were nerves, I was trying to look up and see the crowd and everything and to appreciate it and to enjoy that moment, because we train for that."

"I think it was a beautiful moment.