Paula Badosa says she ‘couldn’t keep up with her body’ after retiring from the final of the Iasi Open on Monday, where she was seeking her first WTA title in almost two years.
The former world No.2 was trailing 4-6, 0-4 to Egypt’s Mayar Sherif, who defeated two seeded players en route to the final. Badosa broke her rival twice in the opening set but lost the advantage straight away on both occasions. After that, she could only win one out of the next seven games before calling it quits due to illness.
The retirement is a frustrating blow for Badosa, who was on a nine-match winning streak. Earlier this month, she won a WTA 125 event in Sweden without losing a set in the entire tournament. Then in Iasi, Romania, she defeated fourth seed Anhelina Kalinina and fifth seed Panna Udvardy before falling in the final.
“I’m always a player that’s very honest and real. I have to say I hate this moment right now, I hate losing a final and I’m really sorry that I had to do it in this way but I couldn’t keep up with my body so I apologise for that also,” Badosa said afterwards.
“But I also want to say, one month ago I was in one of the worst losing streaks of my career and one month after I made one of the best winning streaks of my career…lately we have had a little more positivity.” She added.
Badosa’s match against Sherif took place a day later than scheduled due to poor weather conditions. She has risen up the rankings to 93rd place following her surge in form.
Sherif is also enjoying a winning run with it being the second consecutive tournament she has won after a WTA 125 event in France. In Iasi she also produced wins over Dalma Galfi, Kaitlin Quevedo, ninth seed Yulia Putintseva and third seed Oleksandra.
It is only the second time 30-year-old Sherif has won a WTA event above the 250 level. Her other triumph was back in 2022 at the Parma Open in Italy.
