“I will keep fighting, I will keep pushing” – Paula Badosa announces premature end to her 2025 season after injury setback at China Open
Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa, ranked No. 18, tearfully announced the premature end of her 2025 season due to ongoing injuries, following a heartbreaking retirement in the second round of the China Open in Beijing on September 29. The 27-year-old, who was forced to withdraw trailing 2-4 against Karolína Muchová due to a recurring psoas tear and thigh strain, shared an emotional Instagram post on September 30, vowing resilience: “No matter how many obstacles come my way, I promise you this: I will keep fighting, I will keep pushing.” This marks her third retirement of the year, capping a season that began with a promising Australian Open semifinal but was derailed by persistent physical setbacks.
The Injury Setback: Beijing Heartbreak
Badosa entered Beijing with renewed optimism after a solid 18-9 record in 2025, highlighted by her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open (lost to Iga Świątek 6-4, 6-3) and a Washington Open title. She opened with a 6-3, 6-4 win over qualifier Antonia Ružić, showing flashes of her aggressive baseline game. However, against Muchová, a chronic psoas tear—first sustained in 2023 and compounded by a thigh strain—flared after just six games, forcing her to retire in tears. This echoed earlier retirements in 2025: Stuttgart (hip) and Rome (back), underscoring a pattern of physical struggles that have plagued her since a stress fracture sidelined her for much of 2023.
In her Instagram post, Badosa reflected: “2025 was a year full of painful moments and courage in the face of doubt… I have to end my season early because my body needs to recover.” She thanked fans, her coach Xavier Budhiasa, and physio Yutaka Nakamura for their support, adding, “I’ll come back stronger in 2026. I will keep fighting, I will keep pushing.”
The Season: Highs and Lows
Badosa’s 2025 campaign showed flashes of brilliance but was marred by injuries:
– **Australian Open**: Reached the semifinals, her best Slam result, defeating Ons Jabeur (6-4, 7-5) and Elena Rybakina (7-6(4), 6-3) before falling to Świątek.
– **Washington Open**: Won her second WTA 500 title, beating Marie Bouzková 6-2, 6-4 in the final.
– **Injuries**: Retired in Stuttgart (QF vs. Aryna Sabalenka), Rome (R2 vs. Emma Navarro), and Beijing; withdrew from Indian Wells and Wimbledon due to back and thigh issues.
Her 18-9 record and No. 18 ranking reflect progress from No. 70 in 2024, but the physical toll has forced her to prioritize recovery over the WTA Finals race, where she was a long-shot contender.
| Tournament | Result | Key Moment |
|————|——–|————|
| Australian Open | SF | Beat Jabeur, Rybakina; lost to Świątek. |
| Washington Open | Champion | Second WTA 500 title; 6-2, 6-4 over Bouzková. |
| China Open | R2 | Retired vs. Muchová (2-4); psoas tear flared. |
| Stuttgart | QF | Retired vs. Sabalenka (hip injury). |
Solidarity with Raducanu and Calendar Critique
Badosa’s announcement came alongside a touching message to friend Emma Raducanu, who also exited Beijing early after squandering three match points against Pegula (3-6, 7-6(9), 6-0). Commenting on Raducanu’s Instagram post about enjoying Beijing’s culture, Badosa expressed gratitude for her support during this “difficult period,” reinforcing their bond forged through shared injury struggles. Both players, alongside stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek, have criticized the “demanding” tennis calendar, with Badosa’s injuries fueling calls for reform to prevent burnout.
Fan and Social Media Response
Badosa’s post garnered over 10k likes on Instagram, with fans rallying under #BadosaStrong: “You’re a warrior, Paula—2026 is yours!” (@TennisFanatic, 3k likes). Others linked her plight to Świątek’s and Alcaraz’s warnings: “Tennis tours need to listen—too many injuries!” (@WTAInsider, 2k retweets). Analysts like those at *Tennis.com* praised her grit: “Badosa’s season ends, but her fight doesn’t—she’s a top-10 talent when healthy.”
Looking Ahead: 2026 Comeback
Badosa plans to rehab under Budhiasa and Nakamura, targeting a seeded Australian Open return in January 2026, where she hopes to replicate her 2025 semifinal run. Her fighting spirit and camaraderie with peers like Raducanu keep her grounded. As she wrote, “The journey continues”—a promise of resilience amid tennis’s brutal toll.
