As the 2025 French Open lights up the red clay courts of Roland Garros, Paula Badosa, the world No. 10, is gearing up for a blockbuster first-round showdown against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. The Spaniard, who has been plagued by a persistent back injury throughout the season, shared an optimistic yet cautious fitness update ahead of the high-stakes match, revealing her ongoing battle to regain peak physical form. “I’m pretty happy with the performance [in Strasbourg],” Badosa said, reflecting on her recent return to competitive play after a two-month hiatus. Her journey back to the court has been fraught with challenges, but her determination to compete in Paris, coupled with a newfound resilience, makes this clash one of the most anticipated opening matches of the tournament.
Badosa’s 2025 season has been a test of endurance. A chronic lower back injury, which first surfaced as a spinal stress fracture in 2023, forced her to withdraw from key tournaments like Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and the Italian Open, where she was set to face Osaka before pulling out hours before their second-round match. The injury, which left her struggling to walk at times, has limited her to just 21 matches this year, with a 13-8 record reflecting her fight to stay competitive. Her return at the Strasbourg Open last week marked a significant step forward, as she reached the quarterfinals before falling to Liudmila Samsonova. “So having a normal life was tough for me and it’s been tough, tough few months,” she admitted, describing the physical and mental toll of her condition. “I wasn’t expecting maybe having an injury like this again in the back, but now I’m feeling good.”
The 27-year-old’s candid reflections reveal the psychological strain of her recovery. In a raw interview, she confessed to waking up daily with fear about her back’s condition, saying, “Every day I wake up feeling scared. I’m not kidding, this week I had to text Pol Toledo at 5:00 a.m. because I couldn’t sleep.” The uncertainty of whether she can live a “normal life” or compete without pain has been her biggest challenge, yet her Strasbourg performance—where she notched wins before her loss—offered a glimmer of hope. “Just that physically, I’m not where I want to be. I think it’s normal,” she noted, emphasizing the gradual process of rebuilding her fitness. Her decision to play doubles in Abu Dhabi late last year with boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas and friend Aryna Sabalenka was a calculated move to test her body, and she felt she was “getting there” at 80% fitness then. Now, she’s closer but still navigating a delicate balance.
Facing Osaka, ranked No. 49, adds intrigue to Badosa’s comeback. The two have never met on the WTA Tour, their Rome matchup thwarted by her withdrawal. Osaka, fresh off a WTA 125 title in Saint-Malo and a fourth-round run in Rome, brings a 17-6 record and a clay-court resurgence, highlighted by her near-upset of Iga Świątek at last year’s French Open. “It’s kind of crazy that we have both been on tour but we haven’t played each other yet,” Osaka said, acknowledging the unique anticipation surrounding their clash. Analysts see Osaka as the slight favorite due to her recent form and Badosa’s limited match play, but the Spaniard’s defensive skills and clay-court experience—she reached the 2021 Roland Garros quarterfinal—make her a formidable threat if her body holds up.
Badosa’s emotional resilience shines through as she embraces the challenge. “I love playing in Paris,” she declared, her passion for Roland Garros undimmed despite past setbacks, including missing the 2023 tournament due to her spinal injury. Her Australian Open semifinal run this year, where she stunned Coco Gauff, proves her top-tier potential when healthy. As she steps onto the court Monday, Badosa’s focus is on managing her body and seizing the moment against Osaka. With a potential second-round matchup against Elena-Gabriela Ruse or McCartney Kessler, her path is navigable, but this opener will test her physical and mental fortitude. Her journey, marked by pain, perseverance, and a love for the game, makes her a compelling figure in Paris, ready to prove she’s back—perhaps not at 100%, but close enough to make waves.
# Paula Badosa’s Courageous Comeback Against Naomi Osaka at 2025 French Open
Paula Badosa, world No. 10, faces Naomi Osaka in a thrilling French Open first-round clash, despite a lingering back injury. “I’m pretty happy with the performance [in Strasbourg],” she said after reaching the quarterfinals there, marking her return after a two-month absence. “So having a normal life was tough for me and it’s been tough, tough few months,” she added, reflecting on her physical and mental struggles.
Her 2025 season, limited to 21 matches due to a chronic back issue, saw withdrawals from Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and Rome, where she was set to face Osaka. “Every day I wake up feeling scared,” she confessed, describing sleepless nights and uncertainty. Yet, her Strasbourg run showed progress: “Just that physically, I’m not where I want to be. I think it’s normal.” Her 2023 spinal stress fracture and 80% fitness in Abu Dhabi doubles last year highlight her slow recovery.
Osaka, with a 17-6 record and a Saint-Malo title, is a formidable foe. “It’s kind of crazy that we have both been on tour but we haven’t played each other yet,” she said. Badosa’s 2021 Roland Garros quarterfinal and Australian Open semifinal show her potential, but her 13-8 record reflects challenges. “I love playing in Paris,” she said, her passion driving her forward. As she battles Osaka, Badosa’s resilience could spark a deep run, proving she’s close to her best.
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