Paula Badosa has fallen outside the world's top 100 in the tennis rankings, currently sitting at No. 112, according to multiple reports. She is continuing her comeback at the Charleston Open this week, where she entered as a wildcard and won her match against Kayla Day with a score of 6-4, 6-3, according to multiple reports.
This tournament represents another step in her attempt to climb back up the standings after a significant drop, according to multiple reports. Badosa's career has been repeatedly hampered by injuries, according to multiple reports. She suffered a stress fracture on her back that threatened her career and made her consider retiring young, multiple reports indicate.
Fear, that damn fear. It's so awful. Sometimes I feel like I can't control the voices inside me. The emotions are overwhelming, and I feel like I'm drowning. Doubts take hold, and I feel lost in a sea of emotions. There are days when I feel strong enough, and others when the mountain seems too high... and I wonder if I'll be able to do it. I guess so. Because if anything defines me, it's that I always bounce back. Turn pain into power, right? Why should this time be any different? There's one thing I'm sure of: I'll always try with all my might. I'll do whatever it takes. I know I'm far from my best version, but I also know that version is still inside me. I won't be remembered for winning the most titles, but I want to be remembered for this. For these moments. For showing that Paula was able to pull through. And that any boy or girl going through a tough time will think of me and say, 'If she could do it, so can I.' That's why I'm still here. Because once again I'm going to prove that I can get through this. It will be very tough, but I promise to keep going until I succeed. And even if things aren't going my way right now, and there are a thousand opinions... I'll keep going. And I'll keep going. And to my fans: thank you. Because many times you are the strength I need. Hearing you during matches, with that enthusiasm when even I can't muster it, is the most valuable thing this sport has given me. Thank you. Paula isn't back yet... but she will be.
After enjoying a resurgence in 2024 that returned her to the top 10, she then suffered another injury last year, according to multiple reports. Her current comeback is from a hip injury picked up last year, not the back issue, according to multiple reports. She started to feel pain in her right psoas after the Australian Open last year and later suffered a labrum tear, multiple reports indicate.
The exact nature and severity of her current hip injury remains unclear, according to multiple reports. Her recent tournament results show a mixed performance as she works her way back, according to multiple reports. Badosa went 2-4 in matches across her first four tournaments this year, multiple reports indicate.
You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going. To wake up everyday not knowing how your body will respond, searching for solutions, and
She was forced to retire mid-match in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships, according to multiple reports. She lost early in Indian Wells but reached the semi-finals at a WTA 125 event in Austin, multiple reports indicate. At the Miami Open, she earned a victory in her first match but then lost in straight sets to Iva Jovic in the second round, according to major_media.
She fell out of the world's top 100 due to losing points by only reaching the second round at the Miami Open, having reached the fourth round last year, major_media reports. Badosa has faced criticism on social media for being 'disrespectful to the game' due to retirements and withdrawals, according to multiple reports. Some people brand her as a 'TikToker' rather than a tennis player due to her social media activity, according to Alex Corretja as reported.
It's tough. Paula's transition is proving very uncomfortable. She's trying hard and is very open on social media, which confuses some people because they think she's more focused on TikTok or Instagram than on working. And that's simply not true. The reality is that she trains countless hours a day and prepares to be the best she can be. She's not a TikToker who plays tennis; she's a tennis player who uses the platforms to have fun and unwind a bit.
Alex Corretja responded to critics who believe Paula Badosa focuses more on TikTok and Instagram than on tennis, multiple reports indicate. According to Daily Express - Sport, Alex Corretja described that she trains countless hours a day and prepares to be the best she can be, contrary to the 'TikToker' perception. Badosa has been open about her injury struggles and mental health on social media, multiple reports indicate.
Badosa has previously achieved significant success, reaching the 2025 Australian Open semi-finals, according to multiple reports. However, her future trajectory is uncertain, according to multiple reports. Whether she will be able to return to the top 10 or higher rankings is unknown, as is the timeline for her full recovery and return to peak performance, according to multiple reports.
I hope she finds a balance physically so she can continue to improve. Because if you stop every time you compete and your progress stalls, you don't gain confidence, you don't develop your feel for the game, and you don't have the peace of mind that you'll be able to keep progressing. That's very important for Paula right now.
Maria Sakkari is seeded 10th at the Charleston Open and has wins over Jasmine Paolini and Iga Swiatek this year, multiple reports indicate.
I’m very emotional. Don’t do this to me. It means the world to me. I was very, very sad last year. I had to withdraw from this tournament because of the injury. Coming back today felt really well. It’s a very special tournament for me. I love the crowd. They’re always super supportive. They have so much passion for tennis. For me, it’s one of my favourite stops of the year. I really enjoy it.
Trust me, I’m the first one suffering with pain and having endless nightmares to try to find solutions every single day, and for me, after all, stepping on a tennis court makes worth everything every time. So I’ll keep trying. Because it’s all about trying and that won’t change. I’ll always try one more time.
She’s an amazing player. We’ve known each other for a long time. She’s a player I respect a lot. We’ve had tough battles.