Love is in the air, and it’s evident that tennis stars Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas are making headlines both on and off the court. Badosa recently traveled to Basel, Switzerland, to cheer on Tsitsipas during his run at the Swiss Indoors, demonstrating the couple’s close bond amidst a year of challenges and controversies. The past few months have been a rollercoaster for Badosa, both in her professional and personal life, but the support from her partner seems to be a constant source of comfort.
### **Paula Badosa’s Season: A Difficult End to 2024**
For Badosa, 2024 has been a season of highs and lows. After battling injuries and staging a commendable comeback, her year took an abrupt turn at the Ningbo Open. Badosa was forced to give a walkover to Daria Kasatkina in the semifinals due to health concerns, leading to an emotional announcement that she would end her season early. The decision was a difficult one, as Badosa had displayed flashes of brilliance in recent tournaments, indicating that her return to form was well underway.
However, as much as her on-court performance caught the eye, Badosa’s year has been marred by off-court controversies. A few weeks ago, she found herself at the center of a social media storm following an incident at the China Open in Beijing. Badosa’s coach, Pol Toledo, posted a series of images featuring the tennis star and her team enjoying time together. In one particular picture, Badosa was seen pulling her eyes back with a chopstick—a gesture that fans quickly labeled as offensive and racially insensitive. The backlash was swift, leading Toledo to delete the image, but the damage had already been done.
Days after the incident, Badosa reignited the controversy by making a light-hearted, yet poorly received joke on Instagram. When Toledo shared another picture on social media to wish Badosa well, she reposted it on her story, thanking him for not posting “a picture that gets me in trouble this time.” The comment raised eyebrows and led to further criticism, with many fans perceiving her response as dismissive and not reflective of a genuine apology for the earlier controversy.
### **Badosa’s Response to the Backlash and Support for Tsitsipas**
Badosa later addressed the situation, expressing her frustration with the constant negativity on social media. “It’s really tiring to see constantly hate and criticism on this social media,” she shared, acknowledging the initial incident but emphasizing the positive treatment she received from fans in China following the controversy. Despite her attempts to move past the incident, the spotlight has remained firmly on her actions and words, overshadowing her recent achievements on the court.
Amid the storm, Badosa has found solace in supporting her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas. After ending her season early, she made a point of being present in his player box during the Swiss Indoors, a tournament where Tsitsipas faced tough competition. In his opening match against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, Tsitsipas showed resilience, ultimately winning in three sets. The victory was a relief for fans of the couple—affectionately dubbed “Tsitsidosa”—who have witnessed the duo’s unwavering support for each other through a year of ups and downs.
### **The “Tsitsidosa” Relationship: Love and Tennis Collide**
Badosa and Tsitsipas have become one of the sport’s most talked-about couples since they began dating in June 2023. The pair’s relationship briefly hit a bump in May 2024 when they split, but they soon reconciled, attributing their renewed bond to a deeper understanding of each other. Their relationship has been a public affair, with both sharing candid thoughts about their partnership and the unique challenges that come with dating another high-profile athlete.
During the 2024 US Open, Badosa and Tsitsipas teamed up for the mixed doubles competition, a dream-come-true experience for Badosa, who called it “really special.” Despite Tsitsipas’s early singles exit, Badosa was there to offer encouragement, describing him as “a champion” and reaffirming her faith in his abilities. Even earlier in the season, after winning the 2024 Citi Open title, Badosa had credited her success to the unwavering support of her family and Tsitsipas, emphasizing the importance of having a solid emotional foundation in such a high-pressure sport.
### **Tsitsipas on Badosa: A Source of Strength and Inspiration**
Tsitsipas has been equally vocal about the positive influence Badosa has had on his life. After they reunited following their brief separation, he candidly described her as “my person,” highlighting the depth of their connection. In a later interview, Tsitsipas acknowledged the challenges they face, particularly the emotional strain of watching each other compete. “We’re very emotional, and as we say, we love each other so much, and we want the best for us,” Badosa had said about their dynamic, underscoring the emotional intensity that comes with being in a relationship where both partners share the same competitive arena.
For Tsitsipas, Badosa’s support is invaluable. He described her as someone who “brought a lot of blessings” into his life and credited her with helping him navigate the inevitable ups and downs of professional tennis. In an interview with *Tennis Tonic*, he said, “I am proud that I can call her my girlfriend and my life partner. We have learned a lot from each other, how to fight, how to accept difficult situations, and try to go through them.” This level of mutual understanding, he suggested, has not only strengthened their relationship but also improved their individual performances on the court.
### **Challenges of Supporting Each Other On Tour**
Attending each other’s matches is a double-edged sword for Badosa and Tsitsipas, as they both admit it’s emotionally taxing to sit on the sidelines, powerless to influence the outcome. The emotional highs and lows of the tennis circuit are amplified when your partner is the one competing. “I think we both suffer a lot,” Badosa shared, hinting at the unique challenges they face as a couple. Yet, despite the emotional toll, they remain committed to being there for each other, a gesture that fans deeply appreciate.
Tsitsipas has often spoken about the comfort he finds in Badosa’s presence, particularly after a difficult loss. He mentioned that no matter the outcome of his matches, he knows there’s “a big, warm hug waiting” for him, a sentiment that captures the depth of their bond. This sense of emotional security appears to be a cornerstone of their relationship, allowing both players to face the public and private challenges that come with life on the professional tour.
### **What Lies Ahead for the Tennis Power Couple**
As Badosa recovers from her injury and the controversies that have dogged her season, she remains focused on supporting Tsitsipas, who continues to navigate the latter part of his 2024 campaign. With both athletes showing a deep understanding of each other’s struggles and strengths, the future looks promising for the couple, both on and off the court.
Fans of “Tsitsidosa” are hopeful that 2025 will bring a fresh start for Badosa and even greater achievements for Tsitsipas. Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: their bond is only growing stronger, fortified by the challenges they’ve faced together. The world of tennis—and the couple’s fans—will be watching closely as they continue to write their story, one match at a time.
What are your thoughts on this high-profile tennis romance? Could their relationship influence their performance in future tournaments?