WATCH: Paula Badosa finds comfort in boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas’ arms after surviving Naomi Osaka scare at French Open
Paula Badosa shared a heartwarming moment with her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas, after securing a hard-fought victory against Naomi Osaka in the first round of the French Open on May 26, 2025, at Roland Garros. The Spanish No. 10 seed overcame a 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 battle on Court Philippe-Chatrier, surviving a tense third set where she staved off break-back points to defeat the four-time Grand Slam champion. A video shared by Roland Garros on X captured the couple’s tender embrace, with Badosa and Tsitsipas exchanging wide smiles and engaging in animated conversation, showcasing their close bond. @ATPTour_ES on X celebrated the “Tsitsidosa” moment, noting their advancement to the second round.
Match Recap and Emotional Context
Badosa, ranked No. 12, faced a formidable challenge from Osaka, who took the first set in a tiebreak. Despite her persistent back injury, Badosa roared back, dominating the second set and edging out the third, winning 70% of her first-serve points and converting 3 of 7 break points, per WTA stats. The emotional toll was evident, as Badosa revealed she drew inspiration from Rafael Nadal’s plaque on Court Philippe-Chatrier, unveiled during a May 25 tribute ceremony. “When I was 7-6 down, I looked at Rafa’s plaque to get strength,” she told reporters, per Sportskeeda. Her resilience mirrored her comeback from a career-threatening back injury, which she described as a “rollercoaster” in a motorcyclesports.net interview.
Tsitsipas’s Support and Performance
Tsitsipas, ranked No. 11, also advanced, defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, and is set to face Matteo Gigante next. The couple’s mutual support has been a hallmark of their relationship, dubbed “Tsitsidosa” by fans. Their history includes a brief 2024 split and reconciliation, followed by mixed doubles at the 2024 French Open, as noted by people.com. Badosa’s Australian Open 2025 semifinal run, where Tsitsipas offered tactical advice, underscored their partnership, with the Greek praising her as a “winner in life” after her loss to Aryna Sabalenka, per tennisworldusa.org.
Connections to Broader French Open Narratives
Badosa’s emotional victory and embrace with Tsitsipas resonate with 2025 French Open themes of perseverance. Like Emma Raducanu’s fight against Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka’s nail-clipping tactic, and Alex de Minaur’s clay paradox, Badosa navigates physical and mental challenges. Taylor Fritz’s revenue advocacy and Coco Gauff’s predictions reflect players pushing limits, while off-field stories like Jack Grealish’s transfer saga and Luke Littler’s darts controversy parallel the couple’s high-profile pressures. As Badosa prepares for her next match, her bond with Tsitsipas remains a source of strength at Roland Garros.
