World No. 10 Paula Badosa’s Indian Wells stint hangs in the balance after she pulled out of the Eisenhower Cup, where she was slated to pair with boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas for mixed doubles.
The Spaniard rolled into Tennis Paradise nursing doubts about her fitness, a back flare-up having cut short her Mérida Open WTA 500 quarterfinal against Daria Saville (6-1, 3-5, ret.).
**Badosa’s Indian Wells Campaign in Doubt**
This nagging back trouble, centered in the same spot that sidelined her for much of 2023, has haunted Badosa before. Lately, she’s surged back into the top 10, bolstered by a light points load to defend in the coming weeks compared to her elite peers.
**Badosa Won Her First WTA 1000 Title in Indian Wells 2021**
Sporting a 10-7 record this year, Badosa notched her maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, only to fall to pal Aryna Sabalenka. Alarm bells rang post-Saville, her limp off the Mérida court signaling trouble.
She and Tsitsipas were set to shine in the Eisenhower Cup, the exhibition prelude to Indian Wells. But her injury scuttled that plan. “Paula Badosa has withdrawn from the Eisenhower Cup. A replacement for Stefanos Tsitsipas will be named later today,” organizers said. Daniil Medvedev and Amanda Anisimova stepped in.
Her status for the main draw remains up in the air. Seeded 11th, Badosa’s due to face the Kamila Rakhimova (No. 75) vs. Caroline Dolehide (No. 73) winner on Friday, March 7—if she’s fit to play.
