Paula Badosa, the 27-year-old Spanish tennis sensation who once stood as the world’s No. 2, has laid bare a devastating truth that has shaken the tennis community: her chronic back injury may force her to retire young, with surgery awaiting the moment she steps away from the sport. In a deeply emotional interview, the former Indian Wells champion shared the unrelenting pain that shadows her every day, her fierce determination to keep playing, and the mental anguish of facing an uncertain future. Her story is a poignant testament to the resilience of an athlete battling a career-threatening condition while clinging to her passion for tennis.
Badosa’s career has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks. Her meteoric rise in 2021, highlighted by a WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells and a career-high ranking, marked her as a future star. But in 2023, a stress fracture in her lower back, later diagnosed as a chronic herniated disc with nerve involvement, derailed her momentum. The injury forced her to miss major tournaments, including the Australian Open and French Open, and saw her ranking plummet outside the top 100. A remarkable 2024 comeback, capped by a WTA Comeback Player of the Year award and a maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the 2025 Australian Open, rekindled hope. Yet, her back issues have returned with a vengeance, casting a dark cloud over her future. “I know that I am going to retire young and the next day I will go straight to the operating room,” Badosa confessed, her words heavy with resignation. “Having such a strong character has helped me accept this over time.”
The physical toll is harrowing. Badosa relies on cortisone injections and painkillers to compete, fully aware that delaying surgery could harm her long-term health. “I have told [my doctors] many times: until you operate on me and there is no other solution, I will continue with the injections, even knowing how bad they feel for me and how harmful they are to the body,” she said. The pain, described as a “hernia that has moved” and now presses on her nerves, disrupts her ability to live normally. “Every day I wake up afraid,” she admitted. “This week I had to send messages to [my coach] at 05:00 in the morning because I couldn’t sleep, I can’t with the question of whether my back will be fine that day or if I will be able to lead a normal life.” The mental strain is equally crushing, with sleepless nights and constant fear taking a toll.
Despite the adversity, Badosa’s love for tennis fuels her resolve. “Tennis gives me a lot, day-to-day life, I’m so passionate about it,” she said. “If they tell me to stop at 30 or 32, then fine, but if I can endure it in some way, then I’m going to try.” Her recent withdrawal from the Madrid Open and a mid-match retirement at the Merida Open against Daria Saville highlight the fragility of her condition. Yet, she remains focused on the Italian Open in Rome, with her sights set on Roland Garros, where she won the junior title in 2015. “I’m very stubborn,” she declared, emphasizing her refusal to retire until her doctors insist there’s no other option.
Badosa’s journey resonates far beyond the court, offering a window into the unseen struggles athletes face. Her bond with her team, particularly coach Pol Toledo, has been a lifeline. “How brave and strong she is, above all strong,” Toledo said, reflecting on her resilience. Her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas and her role as a mentor to her sister Jana provide emotional grounding. As she fights to extend her career, Badosa’s dream of winning a Grand Slam burns bright. “I came so close to it, so now I want it even more,” she said, her determination undimmed despite the odds. Her story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to chase greatness in the face of unrelenting pain.
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