Paula Badosa has opened up in a candid interview about her ongoing injury struggles and the uncertain future of her tennis career. The former World No. 2 is currently recovering from a flare-up of a chronic back injury, one she now admits is permanent.
The 27-year-old Spaniard hopes to make her return at next week’s Rome Open, after being sidelined for a month. Her latest setback came after she was forced to retire during her match against Daria Saville at the Merida Open, followed by withdrawals from Indian Wells, Stuttgart, Madrid, and a scheduled Miami clash with Alexandra Eala.
“This injury is forever,” Badosa said. “It’s chronic. It affects my nerve, and there are days I can’t even live a normal life.” She compared it to a herniated disc that shifts unpredictably, sometimes preventing her from walking or training.
After two rounds of treatment, she was finally able to manage the pain and return to light training. “The first infiltration didn’t help at all. I was desperate,” she confessed. “The second one gave me relief. It let me return to the gym and feel like myself again.”
Despite her resilience, Badosa admitted she doesn’t see herself playing for many more years. However, her dream of winning a Grand Slam still burns strong. Asked whether she would trade her career for a single major title, she didn’t hesitate:
“Totally. To win a Grand Slam and retire the next day—I’d sign that right now.”
Reflecting on her journey, Badosa said that while her career might seem impressive from the outside, she personally feels unfulfilled without that elusive Slam. “From the outside, maybe it’s a good career. To me? It feels like crap.”
Still, she draws strength from how often she has fought back from adversity. “What I’m proudest of—more than any titles—is always coming back. The essence of the phoenix. That’s what I’ll remember most when I retire.”
