The tennis world is reeling from the news that Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, once celebrated as the sport’s beloved “Tsitsidosa” duo, have withdrawn from the 2025 US Open mixed doubles event following their recent breakup. The announcement, confirmed just days before the tournament’s revamped mixed doubles competition set to kick off on August 19 in New York, comes on the heels of their disappointing first-round exits at Wimbledon 2025. The split and subsequent withdrawal have sparked widespread speculation, with fans and analysts questioning how personal and professional challenges have impacted the high-profile pair.
Badosa, the 27-year-old Spanish star ranked WTA World No. 10, and Tsitsipas, the 26-year-old Greek player ranked ATP World No. 26, first captured global attention when they went public with their relationship in May 2023. Their romance, marked by heartwarming social media moments and a joint Instagram account boasting over 87,000 followers, earned them the affectionate nickname “Tsitsidosa.” The couple’s chemistry extended to the court, where they shone in mixed doubles, notably winning the US Open’s Mixed Madness exhibition in 2024. “I believe it’s honestly one of the best feelings to be sharing the court with Paula,” Tsitsipas said earlier this year. “We were able to enjoy the company of one another on the tennis court and make something great out of it.” Their success fueled excitement for their planned partnership at the 2025 US Open, a reimagined 16-team event featuring top singles players.
However, the fairy-tale narrative unraveled after Wimbledon, where both players suffered early defeats. Badosa fell to Britain’s Katie Boulter in a tight three-setter, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, while Tsitsipas retired mid-match against Valentin Royer due to a persistent back injury, trailing 6-3, 6-2. “I’m battling many wars these days. It’s really painful to see myself in a situation like this,” Tsitsipas admitted, describing the injury as “the most difficult situation” of his career. Badosa, too, has been grappling with a chronic back injury, revealing earlier this year, “I know I’m going to retire young and the next day I’ll be straight into surgery.” The physical and emotional toll of these setbacks, combined with the pressures of their high-powered careers, reportedly strained their relationship.
Social media clues first hinted at trouble, as the pair unfollowed each other on Instagram and removed shared content, including a recent video of them playfully choosing between Greek and Spanish cuisine. Insiders described the breakup as “healthy” and “mature,” with no third parties or family influences involved. “It’s a healthy breakup and there were no third parties or family influences, as is starting to be said,” a source close to the couple noted. The decision to part ways, marked by mutual respect, echoes their brief split in May 2024, when Badosa likened their situation to Maria Sharapova and Grigor Dimitrov’s, saying, “This reminds me a lot of the story of Maria and Grigor, where you meet the right person but maybe in the wrong moment.”
The withdrawal from the US Open mixed doubles, announced on July 21, 2025, has left fans disappointed but understanding, given the personal and professional challenges both players face. The event, now featuring new pairings like Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune, will miss the star power of “Tsitsidosa.” Badosa’s ongoing recovery from a stress fracture in her L4/L5 vertebrae, which forced her to retire from a Berlin Open quarterfinal, and Tsitsipas’s uncertainty about his career due to his back injury have shifted their focus to individual recovery. “I have a limit at some point, so I’ll definitely have to have my final answer on whether I want to do stuff or not in the next couple of months,” Tsitsipas said, hinting at a potential crossroads.
As the tennis world turns its attention to the US Open, the absence of Badosa and Tsitsipas in mixed doubles underscores the emotional weight of their split. Yet, their mutual respect endures, with Badosa previously noting, “We have a great relationship between us. I know we’ll keep seeing each other on tour, and you never know what will happen in the future.” For now, both players are navigating separate paths, with fans hoping their resilience will lead to a comeback, both on the court and perhaps, one day, in their personal lives.
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