Paula Badosa Reveals Her Biggest Maria Sharapova Regret
Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa may not have embraced comparisons to Maria Sharapova, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t want to face the Russian legend on the court.
After winning the 2015 French Open junior title, Badosa was frequently likened to the five-time Grand Slam champion due to her powerful game and tall frame. However, the label ended up being more of a burden than a compliment, as she later admitted that the immense expectations negatively impacted her mental health.
During a recent Q&A session on X, a fan asked Badosa which player she wished she had competed against but never got the chance. Her response? “Sharapova.”
Why Badosa Never Faced Sharapova
Turning pro in 2015, Badosa had a window of opportunity to play against Sharapova before the Russian retired in January 2020. However, the Spaniard struggled in her early years on the tour, preventing her from meeting the former Wimbledon champion in competition.
Badosa on the ‘Next Sharapova’ Label
Earlier this year, Badosa addressed the pressure of being compared to Sharapova while speaking on Caroline Garcia’s podcast.
“I went through depression and had mental health struggles. At 18, I was a successful junior, but transitioning to the pro level wasn’t easy,” Badosa shared on the Tennis Insider Club.
“I started losing, and people expected me to be the next Sharapova. They questioned why I wasn’t in the Top 10 yet when I wasn’t even in the Top 100. The expectations were massive, but I wasn’t mentally or physically ready for them.”
While Badosa never got to share the court with Sharapova, she continues to carve her own path on the WTA Tour, proving that she is more than just a comparison—she’s her own player.
