Paula Badosa has posted an open letter in which she describes feeling ‘lost in a sea of emotions’ and occasionally doubts her ability to continue playing on the Tour.
The former world No.2 has spoken frankly about her roller-coaster experiences in the sport in recent years and her battle with chronic injury. In 2023, Badosa broke a vertebra in her back, which was later diagnosed as a stress fracture. Unfortunately, the injury turned out to be a long-term issue that has required her to undergo injections to help manage the issue.
In addition to the back issue, Badosa has also been affected by other physical issues, the most recent being a thigh injury, which was strapped during her last match at the Miami Open. At the WTA 1000 event, she reached the second round before suffering a 6-2, 6-1 loss to 18th seed Iva Jovic.
Following that defeat, the Spaniard posted an Instagram story detailing her current feelings in the sport. So far this season, Badosa has won seven out of 15 matches played, with her best result being a run to the semi-final of a WTA 125 event in Austin. Austin is the only tournament she has won back-to-back matches at so far this year.
“Fear, f***ing fear. It’s so damn hard. Sometimes I feel like I can’t control the voices inside me,” Badosa wrote on Instagram.
“The emotions are overwhelming, and I feel like I’m drowning. Doubt takes hold of me, and I feel lost in a sea of emotions. There are days when I feel like I have enough strength, and others when the mountain is just too big… and I wonder if I’ll be able to do it.”
“I guess so. Because if anything defines me, it’s that I always bounce back. Turn pain into power, right? Why should this time be any different? One thing is clear to me: I’ll always try with all my might. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
28-year-old Badosa has won seven WTA titles during her career, including a WTA 1000 Indian Wells in 2021. She is also a former semi-finalist at the Australian Open and WTA Finals.
However, she is currently ranked 100th in the world and will drop out of the top 100 when the rankings are updated next Monday. Twelve months ago, she was 11th in the standings.
“I know I’m far from my best self, but I also know that version is still inside me,” she continued.
“I won’t be remembered for winning the most titles, but I want to be remembered for this. For these moments. For proving that Paula was able to come back. And so that any boy or girl going through a tough time will think of me and say, ‘If she could do it, so can I.’
“That’s why I’m still here. Because once again, I’m going to prove that I can come back. It’ll be really hard, but I promise to keep going until I make it. And even if things don’t go my way right now, and there are a thousand opinions… I’ll keep going. And I’ll keep going.”
Badosa could climb back up the rankings during the upcoming clay swing, where she is defending a few points. After only playing two tournaments on the surface in 2025, she has only quarter-final points to defend at a 500 event in Strasburg and third round points at the French Open.
As it currently stands, Badosa is down to play at the Charleston Open after receiving a wildcard into the event.
