Paula Badosa is grateful for the support she has been receiving amid the latest setback and another “difficult moment” she is going through.
After struggling with multiple injuries last season and basically missing the entire second half of 2023 due to a back injury, Badosa is already having a rough time with injuries at the start of 2024. After being forced to retire from her Hua Hin round-of-16 match in late January due to a back injury, Badosa’s Dubai first-round match ended the same way this week as the former world No. 2 was left in tears moments before walking to her opponent and retiring from the match.
While the exact reason behind Badosa’s Dubai retirement wasn’t revealed, it wouldn’t be surprising if it was again related to her back issues. In a post on X, 26-year-old Badosa admitted all of this is very difficult for her but vowed to keep fighting.
“Want to thank everyone that has sent supportive messages these past days during these difficult moments for me. It is being a long process, but I won’t give up. Tennis is my life and passion, and I’ll do anything to come back as soon as possible and enjoy this sport again,” Badosa wrote on X.
Badosa felt ‘bored’ on the couch before returning to tennis
Last season, Badosa suffered a thigh injury at the Adelaide International and ended up missing the Australian Open. When Badosa returned to action in February, Badosa managed to play eight tournaments before picking up a stress fracture in her spine in May in Rome.
Paula Badosa
Paula Badosa© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
The injury kept Badosa out of the French Open but she decided to play Wimbledon, where she was evidently still bothered by the injury as she ended up retiring during her second-round match. After Wimbledon, Badosa didn’t play any tournaments in the remainder of 2023.
When Badosa kicked off her comeback in Adelaide this past January, she said it was “a slow process” and admitted it was boring for her to sit on the couch while her colleagues were competing.
But 2024 hasn’t been ideal for Badosa either as the hope remains she will be able to play again in Indian Wells.
