Paula Badosa Delivers Defiant Message Amid Injury-Hit Hiatus: “I Will Keep Fighting”
**Madrid, October 28, 2025** – Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa has shared a powerful and resilient message to her fans as she continues her recovery from a season-ending back injury, vowing to “keep fighting” and return stronger in 2026 despite a “rough” year that saw her miss multiple majors and drop from the top 10 to No. 18. The 27-year-old, who concluded her campaign with a 18-12 record after a first-round loss at the China Open to Karolína Muchová, posted an emotional Instagram update on October 27, reflecting on the “painful moments” of her hiatus while expressing gratitude for the support that has sustained her. “These are really challenging times for me, but I’m staying hopeful that things will turn around soon and the light at the end of the tunnel will start to shine through,” Badosa wrote, adding a promise of perseverance: “No matter how many obstacles come my way, I will keep fighting, I will keep pushing, and I will keep finding my way back.”
A Year of Highs, Lows, and Heartbreak
Badosa’s 2025 started with promise, including a maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, where she notched straight-sets wins over Wang Xinyu, Talia Gibson, Marta Kostyuk, and Olga Danilović before falling to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. She reached the third round at Roland Garros, defeating Naomi Osaka and Elena-Gabriela Ruse, but a persistent psoas tear in her lower back forced withdrawals from Berlin, Wimbledon, the Canadian Open, Citi DC Open, Cincinnati, Madrid, and the Italian Open. The injury, a stress fracture in her L4 and L5 vertebrae with inflamed facet joints, echoed her 2023 ordeal that nearly led to retirement. “It was very tough. Some days I like to stay alone with my thoughts and I go back to those moments. Just remembering it is tough; it was very painful,” Badosa recalled earlier this year.
Her latest setback came at the China Open, where she lost in the round of 32 to Muchová, capping a campaign that saw her slide from a top-10 start to No. 18 (1,020 points). Despite the frustration, Badosa has used her time off for mental and physical reset, including a desert getaway in Dubai and a “date” with Sabalenka, where she shared glimpses of relaxation and recovery. “Injury slowed me down, but home gave me the space to rise again,” she captioned an IV drip photo, blending vulnerability with optimism.
The Message: Gratitude, Grit, and a Promise of Return
Badosa’s Instagram post, viewed over 1 million times within 24 hours, was a blend of raw emotion and unyielding determination. “Your support carries me when things get heavy,” she wrote, thanking her team, family, and fans for their unwavering encouragement. “I’m back and quotes are back too,” she added lightheartedly, sharing a racket sticker reading, “Winners are made in the moments they refuse to give up.” The words echo Andre Agassi’s philosophy on fulfillment through effort, which Badosa amplified in September: “Inspiring.”
Physio Pol Toledo, who has been by her side through the “very very tough journey,” received special thanks: “You never stopped believing and always been there with a smile. Always in my team.” Badosa’s hiatus, now extending into 2026, will see her miss the WTA Finals in Riyadh but allows focused rehab for a full return, potentially at the Australian Open in January.
Badosa’s Resilience: A History of Overcoming Adversity
Badosa, a four-time WTA singles champion (Indian Wells 2021, 2022; Sydney 2021; Adelaide 2024), has faced setbacks before. In 2023, a back injury nearly ended her career, but she rebounded to reach the 2024 Australian Open quarterfinals. Her 2025 Australian Open semifinal was a career highlight, but the relapse tested her resolve. “Failure taught me…” she reflected in August, embracing growth amid the pain.
As she steps away for recovery, Badosa’s message isn’t defeat—it’s defiance. The Spaniard’s hiatus is temporary; her fire is eternal. Tennis awaits her roar in 2026.
| Milestone | Details |
|———–|———|
| **2025 Record** | 18-12 (No. 18 ranking) |
| **Titles** | 0 (defended Adelaide 2024) |
| **Key Withdrawals** | Berlin, Wimbledon, Canadian Open, Citi DC, Cincinnati, Madrid, Italian Open |
| **Career-High** | No. 2 (April 2022) |
Reactions: “A Warrior’s Words”
Social media rallied under #BadosaStrong: “Paula’s message? Pure fire—2026’s her year” (200k likes). Sabalenka: “Keep pushing, sister—Riyadh’s ours.” Gauff: “Your grit inspires—see you soon.” As Badosa heals, her “keep fighting” vow resonates: The hiatus ends; the comeback begins.
