Badosa in the pink as her Thai challenge begins

Paula Badosa will bid for a successful debut on the unorthodox pink courts of next week’s WTA Hua Hin event as the former No. 2 makes her competitive debut in Thailand.

The Spaniard who is returning from injury won two rounds at the Australian Open last week and is trying to lift a ranking which has fallen to 100.

“People are very nice, the hospitality is amazing. I’ve enjoyed the last few days and now I’m looking forward to getting started,” said said in the run-up at the Thai beach resorts favoured by the country’s royalty.

The playing surface at the venue is hard to miss: “The pink courts are really different and hopefully next week I can play a lot of matches on them,” Badosa said.

“Conditions are totally different from Australia; it’s humid here and the courts are playing a little bit slower, plus there is a little bit more wind.

“So it’s going to be a challenge but I’m looking forward to it.”