Paula Badosa, the 27-year-old Spanish tennis star and former world No. 2, has opened up about the “complicated” and emotionally draining injury hell that sidelined her for months in 2025, as she makes her long-awaited return to competitive action. The world No. 10, who last played at Wimbledon where she suffered a first-round loss to Katie Boulter on July 1, withdrew from the US Open in August due to a persistent lower back issue, marking her second major hard-court swing absence this year. In a candid interview ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen (September 16-21, 2025), Badosa detailed the physical agony, nerve pain, and mental toll of her condition, emphasizing how it felt like “starting over again” while expressing relief at rejoining Spain’s team for the event.
The Injury Timeline: A Recurring Nightmare
Badosa’s back woes, stemming from a stress fracture that nearly ended her career in 2023, resurfaced in early 2025. After a promising start with a quarterfinal in Merida (February) and semifinals at the Australian Open (January), where she defeated Coco Gauff, the pain intensified. She retired from her Merida quarterfinal due to the issue, then skipped Indian Wells (March) and the clay-court season, including her home Madrid Open in April. “It’s being a complicated injury,” Badosa said in April. “I’ve tried everything possible until the last moment, but it’s touching the nerves, so I was constantly having pain. My normal life was a disaster—I couldn’t even move from the couch.”
The Spaniard underwent injections and treatments, but the lower back and psoas tear forced her out of Washington (July) and the US Open (August). “I need to focus on my health and recovery so I can return stronger,” she posted on Instagram in August, announcing her US Open withdrawal. Badosa missed nearly five months of action, dropping from the top 10 to No. 10 by September, and admitted the isolation was tough: “Coming back from injury, sometimes you feel a little alone, you have ups and downs.”
The Mental and Physical Toll: “Starting Over Again”
Badosa’s revelations highlight the psychological strain of her ordeal. “It’s been complicated,” she told the WTA website. “The injections worked, but slowly. I was lucky the treatment helped, but it affected my nerves constantly.” The pain disrupted daily life, leaving her bedridden and questioning her future. “I’ve had to start over again,” Badosa said, echoing her 2024 comeback after a similar setback. Mentally, the Spaniard leaned on her team and boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas, who provided support during her recovery. “It’s never easy, but I’m proud of the work,” she added.
Her return to Shenzhen marks her first competition since Wimbledon, where she lost 6-3, 6-2 to Boulter. As Spain’s No. 1, Badosa joins Sara Sorribes Tormo, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and Cristina Bucsa for the Finals, facing Ukraine in the quarterfinals on September 18. “It helps to come and play as a team,” Badosa said. “The good atmosphere and team spirit are very important. Coming back, you feel alone sometimes, but this gives me energy.”
Looking Ahead: Aiming for 2026 Glory
Badosa enters the Billie Jean King Cup with cautious optimism, using it as a low-stakes reintroduction before the Asian swing (China Open, September 24-30; Wuhan Open, October 7-13). “There are still a couple of months left in 2025, but I’m already looking ahead to next year and hoping to get myself in the best shape possible for the Australian Open,” she said. Her goal: reclaim a top-5 ranking and challenge for majors, building on her 2025 semifinal at the Australian Open.
Spain, seeded No. 2, has a strong chance in Shenzhen, with Badosa’s return boosting their title hopes. Fans have rallied behind her, with social media posts like, “Paula’s comeback story is inspiring—fight on! 🇪🇸” (@TennisFanatic22). Badosa’s “complicated” journey underscores the sport’s physical demands, but her resilience promises a strong second half to 2025 and a brighter 2026. As she steps back on court, the Spaniard is ready to rewrite her narrative—one match at a time.
