Paula Badosa Announces Break from Tennis Due to Chronic Injury
Paula Badosa has revealed that she is stepping away from tennis to focus on recovering from a chronic back injury. The 27-year-old had to withdraw from the Miami Open after winning her first two matches, citing an aggravation of the long-term issue that nearly forced her into retirement last year.
Badosa had already pulled out of Indian Wells and the Merida Open before her withdrawal in Miami. She has now confirmed she will miss the Charleston Open as well, opting to prioritize her recovery.
Badosa: “It’s Tough to Stop and Start Again”
Taking to Instagram, Badosa expressed her frustration over her injury struggles:
“Hello everyone, as you know, I had to withdraw from Miami and upcoming tournaments. It’s very sad and tough to deal with the pain, especially stopping and coming back every time. Now it’s time to go through the recovery process again. Hopefully, I will be back soon.”
With the clay-court season approaching, Badosa is racing against time to regain fitness ahead of the French Open in two months.
Injury Struggles and Setbacks
Badosa’s back issues began in 2023, when she fractured two vertebrae. The resulting period of inactivity caused her to drop out of the world’s top 50. At the 2024 Australian Open, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, she opened up about her condition:
“I had a stress fracture in my L4 and L5 that wasn’t recovering. The facet joints were constantly inflamed, making it difficult to continue training. At one point, I was receiving injections, but I was already close to exceeding the recommended limit, which made me question if I could keep going.”
Badosa also recalled how the 2024 clay season worsened her condition, culminating in a first-round exit in Madrid, her home tournament.
“That period was very difficult. My back was still hurting, and mentally, it was exhausting. After Madrid, I seriously questioned whether I could return to my best level.”
Now, she hopes this break will allow her to fully heal and make a strong comeback.
