Paula Badosa sends emotional message to Andrey Rublev after relating to his heart-breaking “losing purpose to live” admission
Paula Badosa Sends Heartfelt Message to Andrey Rublev After His Mental Health Revelation
Paula Badosa recently expressed her support for Andrey Rublev, commending him for speaking openly about his struggles with depression. The Spaniard, who has been candid about her own mental health challenges, shared that she deeply resonated with his experiences.
Rublev’s run at the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships ended in a hard-fought loss to qualifier Quentin Halys, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5), on February 25. This defeat followed a triumphant week in Doha, where the Russian secured his 17th career title—his first in nine months.
Ahead of his campaign in Dubai, Rublev reflected on his past battles with depression, revealing the emotional toll it had taken on him.
“I was just kind of in a loop, lost with myself for a couple of years, not finding my way, not understanding what to do or why,” he told The National. “It might sound dramatic, but I questioned the purpose of it all—just feeling completely lost.”
He added that while he isn’t necessarily happy now, he has reached a more stable state of mind:
“I’m not in a good or bad place. I don’t feel stress, anxiety, or depression anymore—just neutral. But at least I’ve found a base, and that’s a start.”
Badosa, moved by Rublev’s honesty, took to social media to share her admiration.
“So much respect for you, @AndreyRublev97. Listening to this really moves me, and I know how much pain it brings,” she wrote. “This will only make you stronger in the end. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Thank you for speaking up.”
Badosa on Her Own Mental Health Journey
Like Rublev, Badosa has enjoyed a successful tennis career but has faced significant struggles along the way. After winning her first WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells in 2022, she reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2. However, injuries and personal battles derailed her progress in 2023. A persistent back injury kept her sidelined for much of the season, and it wasn’t until mid-2024 that she regained momentum, claiming her first title in over two years at the WTA 500 Citi Open.
Her resurgence continued into 2025, where she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open.
Badosa recently opened up about her mental health struggles on Caroline Garcia’s Tennis Insider podcast, shedding light on the pressures of professional tennis.
“I always say that I love this sport, but there comes a time when it becomes a job,” she admitted. “It turns into pressure, responsibility, and expectations that are incredibly tough to handle.”
She further emphasized how quickly young players are forced to mature in the sport:
“The process of maturity in tennis happens so fast. That’s why, in my case, I’m never ashamed to say it—I went through depression and struggled with mental health.”
Most recently, Badosa competed at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she fell to Elena Rybakina in a grueling 4-6, 7-6(8), 7-6(2) defeat, despite holding six match points. She now sets her sights on the WTA 500 Merida Open, where she enters as the second seed.
