In the romantic ambiance of Roland Garros, where the Parisian spring weaves love into the air, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, tennis’s beloved power couple, shared a tender embrace that captured hearts worldwide. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Badosa, the No. 10 seed, fought through a fever and a fierce challenge from Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory in the second round of the French Open. The Spaniard’s gritty comeback on Court Simonne-Mathieu, clinched after two hours of battle, was celebrated with a warm hug from Tsitsipas, who had just finished his own doubles match. The moment, filled with affection and mutual support, underscored their enduring bond, dubbed “Tsitsidosa” by fans, as they navigate the highs and lows of professional tennis together.
Badosa’s journey to the third round was anything but straightforward. Trailing after a shaky first set, where Ruse’s aggressive play and the Spaniard’s illness threatened to derail her, Badosa summoned her trademark resilience. “It feels great, today was really tough,” she said post-match, reflecting on the mental and physical battle. “Today was a mental battle and I am happy I got through it.” Her ability to rally, winning both the second and third sets 6-4, showcased the fighting spirit that has propelled her back to the WTA’s top 12 after a career-threatening back injury in 2023. Tsitsipas, ever-present in her player’s box, offered unwavering support, his encouragement a constant through her grueling match. “He was supporting me at every point,” Badosa noted, echoing sentiments from her Australian Open campaign where she praised his guidance. “It’s amazing to have him by my side. He gives me so much advice and support.”
The couple’s connection, which blossomed publicly during the 2023 French Open, has become a focal point of the tennis world. After a brief split in May 2024, their reconciliation weeks later strengthened their bond, evident in moments like their post-match embrace in Paris. “We have a very beautiful relationship,” Badosa said last year, a sentiment that resonates as they continue to inspire each other. Tsitsipas, ranked No. 20, faced his own challenges at Roland Garros, suffering a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 second-round loss to qualifier Matteo Gigante. “One thing I have dealt with the last couple of years… were the injuries that popped up,” he shared, citing a persistent lower back issue that has hampered his clay season. Despite his early exit, Tsitsipas, now coached by Goran Ivanisevic, remained by Badosa’s side, their shared journey a source of strength.
Badosa’s victory sets up a third-round clash with No. 17 seed Daria Kasatkina, a formidable opponent who has pushed her to three sets in past encounters, including a 2024 Eastbourne quarter-final. “It’s going to be a tough one,” Badosa acknowledged, aware of Kasatkina’s crafty baseline game. The Spaniard’s recent form, highlighted by a semi-final run at the 2025 Australian Open—where she fell to Aryna Sabalenka—signals her readiness to compete at the highest level. Her 2021 Indian Wells title and 11-3 record there underscore her potential for a deep run in Paris, where she reached the quarter-finals in 2021. Fans on social media celebrated the couple’s moment, with one post gushing, “Nothing but hugs to these two gorgeous gladiators,” capturing the sentiment of a tennis community enamored with their story.
The couple’s dynamic extends beyond the court. Their joint Instagram account, “Tsitsidosa,” chronicles their adventures, from playful banter to romantic gestures like Tsitsipas packing Badosa’s clothes for a US Open trip, earning him the title “Boyfriend of the Year.” Their relationship, which began after Tsitsipas spotted Badosa at the 2020 Australian Open, thrives on mutual ambition. “I want her to have an incredible career and reach world No. 1,” Tsitsipas said in 2023, a goal Badosa reciprocates. Their playful exchanges, like Badosa’s heart emojis reacting to Tsitsipas’s sun-soaked Monte Carlo photos, reveal a partnership that balances love and competition.
As Badosa prepares for Kasatkina on Saturday, May 31, and Tsitsipas focuses on his upcoming tournaments, their Roland Garros moment symbolizes resilience and unity. With the women’s final set for June 7, Badosa’s journey could mark a career-defining chapter, fueled by the support of her biggest fan.
❤️❤️❤️ #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/k8IDW3wQTG
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2025
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