In a devastating blow to Spanish tennis fans, Paula Badosa, the nation’s beloved star, announced her withdrawal from the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open on April 25, just hours before her anticipated first-round match. The 28-year-old, who has battled a chronic back injury for nearly two years, cited persistent pain as the reason for her absence, compounding the disappointment already felt by fans after Carlos Alcaraz’s earlier withdrawal due to a leg injury. “It’s been a tough decision, but I need to prioritize my health,” Badosa shared in an emotional social media post, her words resonating with a fanbase that had hoped to see her shine on home soil.
Badosa’s journey has been one of resilience and heartbreak. Once ranked World No. 2 in 2022, she has endured a stress fracture in her back since mid-2023, a condition that has forced her to miss multiple tournaments, including the 2024 Madrid Open. Her 2025 season showed glimmers of a comeback, with a quarterfinal run in Dubai and a fourth-round appearance at Indian Wells, where she defeated top-10 player Jessica Pegula. Yet, the physical toll of her injury has been relentless. “Now I’m much better, but it’s true that every day I wake up thinking about the pain,” Badosa confessed in a recent interview, highlighting the mental and physical burden she carries.
The Madrid Open held special significance for Badosa, a native of Begur, Catalonia, who dreamed of lifting the trophy in front of her home crowd. “I’m very grateful to the doctors. It’s been difficult to manage because I felt this could have been the best year of my career,” she said earlier in the week, her voice tinged with hope and frustration. She approached the tournament with cautious optimism, aiming to enjoy the experience after years of treating it as “more of an agony” due to her injuries. Her preparation included intense rehabilitation, but the back pain flared up again, forcing her to make the gut-wrenching call to withdraw. “I take this edition to enjoy it,” she had said, a sentiment now overshadowed by her absence.
Badosa’s withdrawal adds to the Madrid Open’s challenging narrative this year. With Alcaraz, a two-time champion, also sidelined, the tournament has lost two of its biggest homegrown stars, dampening the atmosphere at La Caja Mágica. Social media posts from fans expressed dismay, with one calling it “a nightmare for Spanish tennis.” Badosa’s injury history is a stark reminder of the sport’s physical demands. In 2024, she revealed the extent of her struggles: “I was in agony in my daily life; it was hard to sleep or walk.” Her determination to push through, despite doctors’ grim prognoses, has earned her admiration. “Others would have given up. She didn’t,” a close associate noted, underscoring her tenacity.
The road ahead for Badosa remains uncertain. Her team plans to conduct further medical tests to assess the back injury, with hopes of returning for the Rome WTA 1000 event or the French Open. “I cried when the doctors told me what was wrong, but I accepted the challenge,” Badosa once said, reflecting on her resolve. Her career, marked by four WTA titles and a 2021 Indian Wells triumph, is far from over, but each setback tests her spirit. Fans, meanwhile, are rallying behind her, flooding her social media with messages of support, urging her to prioritize recovery.
Badosa’s absence leaves a void in Madrid, where she was set to face a qualifier in the first round. Her withdrawal opens the door for a lucky loser to enter the draw, but it’s a small consolation for a tournament craving local heroes. As the clay season progresses, Badosa’s focus shifts to healing, both physically and emotionally. “In Madrid, I was honestly a disaster, I didn’t want to leave my room,” she admitted earlier this year, reflecting on past lows. Yet, her pride in overcoming those moments fuels her drive. For now, Spain waits, hoping their warrior can return stronger, ready to reclaim her place among the elite.
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