Paula Badosa recently reflected on the depth of her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas, revealing how the Greek tennis star was by her side during a difficult period marked by injury. The former WTA World No. 2 endured a challenging time recovering from a back injury that began during the 2023 Rome Open. This was not only a testing chapter in Badosa’s career but also a crucial period that brought her and Tsitsipas closer together as a couple.
The tennis power couple went public with their relationship in June 2023, but their story began earlier. Tsitsipas first reached out to Badosa during the Rome Open, a time when the Spanish player suffered the back injury that would derail her season and force her to miss the French Open. Initially, the injury did not seem severe, but it ultimately restricted Badosa’s season to a single Grand Slam appearance at Wimbledon, where she retired mid-match in the second round.
For months, Badosa battled with physical and emotional struggles. She was candid about the toll it took, admitting that the ongoing injury was deeply demoralizing. During this time, Tsitsipas became a key figure in her life, providing unwavering support. “Stefanos was an unconditional support for me in all those months I spent lying on a sofa,” Badosa revealed in an interview with the Spanish magazine *Hola*. “He is a very sensitive person and, sometimes, he empathized so much that he ended up suffering too much.”
Badosa described how seeing Tsitsipas affected by her struggles motivated her to put on a brave face for him, even when she was feeling low. Their bond was strengthened by these difficult moments, and Tsitsipas’ dedication did not go unnoticed. When Badosa finally won her first title in over two years at the Washington Open this past summer, she made sure that Tsitsipas was the first person she reached out to. “There were times when I had to cheer myself up just for him, who was constantly looking for solutions to make me feel better,” Badosa said. “That’s why when I won the title in Washington, he was the first person I called and mentioned because the truth is that he has been very important in my recovery.”
Interestingly, Tsitsipas had envisioned a connection with Badosa years before they formally met. The Greek star revealed that he first noticed Badosa at the 2020 Australian Open, where he was immediately captivated. “It’s funny, but Paula and I never really met during tournaments,” he shared with *Hola*. “In fact, we might have only met two or three times before I actually got a chance to go up to her and say hello and introduce myself. The first time I noticed Paula was at the 2020 Australian Open, playing on Centre Court. It was love at first sight, and I was completely mesmerized from that day on. I remember thinking to myself that one day we would be together.”
Their relationship has not been without its challenges. In May 2023, Badosa announced on her Instagram Story that she and Tsitsipas had decided to part ways. The news came as a surprise, given that there had been no public indications of trouble. However, just weeks later, the couple was spotted together in Monte Carlo, and they appeared together in Paris for the French Open. Tsitsipas confirmed the reconciliation and explained that their brief separation was more a matter of coping with personal pressures than any real conflict. “We are together,” Tsitsipas stated during a press interview. “I’m going to explain why some people create different stories about us. It’s not that I care, but I don’t think people should take it like that. Paula didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did I. It was hard for us to be apart, and I was also going through difficult times.”
Tsitsipas elaborated on how balancing a demanding tennis career with a serious relationship posed challenges, but ultimately, their bond prevailed. “I would say that I didn’t take it very well either, because I felt the pressure of the tour, of my work. It seemed like a mountain to combine the two things (tennis and romantic life), and I made the decision to take a break. After two or three weeks, I realized that she is a person who has supported me a lot, and when she tried to talk to me again, I felt how intense the love we have for each other is,” he said.
Badosa, when asked about Tsitsipas’ comments, simply responded that she had nothing further to add, letting her silence and their renewed commitment speak for itself. Since then, the couple has expressed their desire to reach their professional goals together—winning a Grand Slam and achieving the No. 1 ranking in the world. Though they have yet to realize these ambitions, Badosa and Tsitsipas remain determined, motivated not just by individual accolades, but by a shared journey of love, resilience, and mutual support.