In the fiercely competitive world of professional tennis, where physical and mental resilience are tested daily, Paula Badosa’s journey has been marked by both triumph and tribulation. The 27-year-old Spanish tennis star, once ranked No. 2 in the world, recently opened up about a debilitating back injury that forced her to withdraw from the 2025 Madrid Open, a prestigious WTA 1000 event in her home country. Her candid revelations paint a vivid picture of the physical pain and emotional toll that have turned her daily life into what she described as “a disaster,” offering fans a glimpse into the unseen struggles of an athlete fighting to reclaim her place among the elite.
Badosa’s latest setback began during a hard-fought third-round victory against Denmark’s Clara Tauson at the Miami Open in March 2025, where she secured a straight-sets win, 6-3, 7-6. The match, a testament to her grit, came at a steep cost. A nagging back injury flared up, one that she later revealed was distinct from previous issues, as it affected her nerves, causing relentless pain. “It’s been a tough injury, honestly, this one because it was totally different from the last one,” Badosa shared in a heartfelt interview. “It was an injury that was touching the nerves, so I was constantly having pain. My normal life was a disaster, honestly — I couldn’t even move from the couch.” This nerve-related agony sidelined her from the fourth-round match against rising star Alexandra Eala and cast a shadow over her participation in subsequent tournaments, including Indian Wells, Merida, and ultimately Madrid.
The Madrid Open withdrawal was particularly heartbreaking for Badosa, a native of Catalonia who has long cherished competing on home soil. The decision to pull out came just hours before her scheduled opener, underscoring the severity of her condition. Her absence from the Caja Mágica, where the world’s top players vie for glory, was a stark reminder of the chronic back issues that have plagued her since 2023. That year, a stress fracture in her L4 vertebra—a diagnosis that doctors warned could end her career—forced her to miss three of the four Grand Slams. “One year ago, they gave me one of the worst news of my career,” Badosa reflected on Instagram after a 2024 French Open match, recalling the moment she was told she might never play again. Yet, her mental toughness and love for the sport propelled her to defy those odds, culminating in a remarkable semifinal run at the 2025 Australian Open.
Badosa’s resilience is not without its costs. The chronic pain has forced her to adapt her lifestyle and training regimen in ways she never anticipated. “There are days when I feel worse than others,” she admitted after a 2024 Wimbledon victory, highlighting the unpredictable nature of her condition. Simple activities like going to the gym, a cornerstone of her athletic identity, are often impossible. “I like working hard, but there are days when I can’t do that,” she said. To manage the pain, she relies on treatments like intramuscular nerve stimulation and cortisone injections, which have allowed her to compete at a high level but come with long-term risks. Her Instagram updates, including a recent post captioned “Step by step 💪,” show her undergoing therapy, a testament to her determination to return to the court.
The emotional weight of her injury is as heavy as the physical burden. Badosa has been open about the mental strain, from moments of despair to questioning whether her career is worth the suffering. “I cried a lot, and I’m still crying sometimes when I hear that,” she confessed in 2024, recalling conversations with doctors who advised her to consider retirement. Yet, her passion for tennis and support from her team, family, and partner Stefanos Tsitsipas have kept her fighting. Tsitsipas, a fellow tennis star, has been a pillar of strength, with Badosa crediting him for bringing “a bright light” into her life. Their relationship, playfully dubbed “Tsitsidosa” by fans, has weathered her injury challenges, including a brief split in 2024 before reuniting stronger than ever.
Despite the setbacks, Badosa’s 2024 season showed flashes of her former brilliance. She reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, the quarterfinals at the US Open, and re-entered the Top 20, earning the WTA Comeback Player of the Year title. Her 2025 Australian Open semifinal run, where she defeated Coco Gauff, was a high point, proving she could still compete with the best. “I’m super proud of the level I gave today,” she said after that win, her voice thick with emotion. However, the recurring back issues—evident in retirements at Merida and Ningbo—have made consistency elusive.
As Badosa navigates her recovery, her sights are set on the clay season, particularly the French Open, where she won the junior title in 2015. The road ahead is uncertain, but her resolve is unwavering. “I think what’s making me fight every day is the love that I have for this sport,” she said. For now, fans await her return, inspired by a player who, despite a body that betrays her, refuses to let her spirit break.