Paula Badosa’s remarkable resurgence on the tennis court this year has captivated fans and defied expectations, all thanks to determination, hard work, and a few key words of inspiration from her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas. After battling through a difficult first half of the 2024 season due to a stress fracture in her back sustained in 2023, Badosa contemplated stepping away from the game. However, with Tsitsipas’s support and encouragement, she found the strength to persevere, eventually staging one of the most impressive comebacks in recent memory.
The Spanish tennis star experienced a rocky start to her 2024 campaign as she struggled to recover from her debilitating injury. The physical toll of recovery, compounded by the mental strain of elite competition, left Badosa at a crossroads. However, she found a turning point during the grass-court season. Her quarterfinal appearance at the Bad Homburg Open and a strong showing that carried her into the last 16 at Wimbledon signaled a change in momentum and confidence.
Badosa’s stellar run since Wimbledon has showcased her resilience and hard-court prowess. She began her streak with a victory at the WTA 500 event in Washington in August, setting the stage for a sensational second half of the year. Her subsequent performances have been nothing short of remarkable, featuring semi-final appearances in prestigious tournaments such as Cincinnati, Beijing, and Ningbo, as well as a commendable run to the quarterfinals at the US Open. Winning 21 of her last 26 matches has propelled Badosa from a lowly 140th in the WTA Rankings in May to her current standing of 12th in the world, after briefly occupying the 11th spot last week.
Reflecting on this impressive turnaround, Badosa shared a poignant conversation she had with Tsitsipas, a top-ranked ATP player himself, during a low point in her season at the French Open in June. “I will never forget it,” she revealed during an interview with Alex Corretja on Movistar+. “I wasn’t well; I wasn’t where I wanted to be. And I told him: I think I’m going to give up this year because I don’t see myself going back to this.”
In a moment that underscored Tsitsipas’s unwavering belief in her abilities, he responded with a mix of shock and encouragement. “He looked at me with a face like I was crazy and said: ‘but you’re going to be in the top 10 again soon.’ I looked at him and said: ‘this one has gone.’ He loves me a lot (laughs),” Badosa recounted. “When you have played tennis, you perceive these things. He is a person who empathizes a lot. He has been there in almost all my bad moments and has been a great support for me.”
Badosa highlighted how the couple’s mutual admiration and respect have been integral to their relationship. “And we have something that is also very beautiful in a couple, which is to admire the other. We respect and admire each other a lot. Hearing those words from a great athlete like him motivates me. That your partner believes in you also helps.”
The connection between Badosa and Tsitsipas goes beyond their support for one another on the court. Badosa shared some lighthearted insights into their relationship dynamics off the court, noting that the two share a deep bond rooted in mutual understanding and shared experiences. “It’s a mix of everything,” she said. “He also loves photography and I love posing (laughs). He likes to joke around and have fun on social media.”
Their ability to balance the rigors of professional tennis while maintaining a “very healthy relationship” is a testament to their mutual dedication and empathy. “We understand each other well; we’re dedicated to the same thing, we have the same goals,” Badosa explained. She acknowledged the unique challenges of maintaining a relationship between two professional athletes, highlighting how the demands of an individual sport can often make it difficult to prioritize personal connections. “You have to be very aware of your own thing, but we’re able to empathize and listen to each other, which isn’t easy when you’re dedicated to an individual sport.”
In many ways, the story of Paula Badosa’s comeback is not only one of personal perseverance but also a testament to the power of support, love, and encouragement in overcoming adversity. With Tsitsipas by her side and a renewed sense of purpose on the court, Badosa has proven that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a strong will, coupled with a strong support system, can lead to triumph. As she looks ahead to the next chapter in her career, fans will undoubtedly continue to watch in admiration, knowing just how far she has come—and the inspiration that fueled her journey.