Paula Badosa Sends a Loving Message to Emma Raducanu As Brit Moves On From Heartbreak During Asian Swing
As both Paula Badosa and Emma Raducanu navigated heartbreak at the 2025 China Open—Badosa with a tearful retirement and season-ending injury announcement, and Raducanu with a dramatic third-round collapse—Badosa reached out with a warm, supportive comment on Raducanu’s social media post. The Spaniard, fresh off her emotional Instagram revelation that her 2025 campaign is over due to chronic back and thigh issues, responded to Raducanu’s off-court photos from Asia, highlighting their close friendship and mutual resilience during tough times.
The Message: Warmth Amid Heartbreak
Raducanu, the British No. 1, shared a lighter side of her Asian swing on social media after her 3-6, 7-6(11-9), 6-0 loss to Jessica Pegula on September 29, posting photos of herself exploring cafes, trying local dishes, and relaxing away from the court— a subtle nod to moving on from the frustration of squandering three match points. Badosa, who retired injured against Karolína Muchová earlier that week (trailing 2-4 in the first set), commented supportively, emphasizing their bond forged through shared challenges like injuries and high-pressure tournaments. The exact words weren’t detailed publicly, but sources describe it as a “touching” and “warm message” that resonated with fans, underscoring Badosa’s empathy as a fellow player dealing with physical setbacks.
Their friendship dates back to at least 2024, when Badosa praised Raducanu ahead of a potential quarterfinal matchup at the Citi DC Open, calling her a “strong bond” in the tour. Badosa has long been vocal about uplifting peers, and this gesture came just after her own poignant Instagram post on September 30, where she reflected on pushing through “painful moments and courage in the face of doubt,” thanking fans for support amid her psoas tear and thigh strain that derailed her year.
Shared Heartbreak in Beijing
Both players entered the WTA 1000 event with renewed hope but exited early:
– **Raducanu**: Seeded 30th, she reached the third round for the first time in Beijing, defeating Cristina Bucsa 6-4, 6-1 to provisionally enter the top 30 (No. 29). However, against Pegula, she led in the second-set tiebreak with three match points but faltered with a double fault, leading to a 6-0 third-set bagel—her ninth straight loss to top-10 players.
– **Badosa**: The No. 18 seed beat qualifier Antonia Ružić in the opener but retired in the second round vs. Muchová after just six games, tears flowing as her thigh/groin injury resurfaced—her third retirement of 2025 and a cap to a season starting with an Australian Open semifinal but marred by a chronic psoas tear.
Neither advanced past the third round, turning the Asian swing into a period of reflection rather than breakthroughs. Raducanu’s posts signaled a mindset shift toward enjoyment off-court, while Badosa’s message reinforced solidarity in adversity.
Their Bond: Fighters in the Spotlight
Badosa and Raducanu, both 27 and 22 respectively, share experiences of early promise derailed by injuries—Badosa with back woes since 2023, Raducanu with ongoing recovery since her 2021 US Open win. Badosa’s comment aligns with her history of peer support, as seen in past praises for rivals. Fans lauded the gesture on social media, with posts noting how it “highlighted their close friendship” during mutual struggles.
Moving Forward
With Badosa’s season over and Raducanu eyeing recovery and consistency under coach Francisco Roig, the message symbolizes the tour’s supportive side. Raducanu’s top-30 return offers optimism for 2026, while Badosa focuses on rehab for a seeded Australian Open comeback. In tennis’s grind, such moments remind players they’re not alone.
