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Paula Badosa recently made a heart-breaking revelation about her unceasing back injury issue.
Badosa, whose first half of 2023 was marred by a thigh injury sustained at the Adelaide International 2, suffered yet another blow during the Italian Open that year, when she injured her back.
The spinal stress facture derailed her season – she played only two matches thereafter – one win and one loss through retirement at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
With renewed hope, Paul Badosa kicked off her 2024 campaign at the Adelaide International. However, she has had to pull out of numerous tournaments since then due to the persistent injury.
Badosa has now shed light on the severity of the issue. During her time in Indian Wells in March, the 2021 champion was informed by the doctors that it would be complicated for her to continue her tennis career.
"Honestly, I have goosebumps again, because in Indian Wells the doctors told me it’ll be very complicated to continue my career," she said on the WTA Insider podcast.
As a solution, the Spaniard was prescribed cortisone injections, which would likely help her compete for “a few more years.”
"And I said, okay, I need a solution – something. So you know, we tried these injections – cortisone. And they said, this is the only option we can give you and maybe you will have to keep doing that if you want to play for a few more years," she explained.
"I’m like, a few more years? I’m still 26," Badosa added.
Paula Badosa, who was advised to limit her hardcourt appearances, admitted that being a fierce competitor, the news was a bitter pill to swallow.
"So for me that was very tough. And you’ll have to handle, especially the hardcourt, you have to play very less, and play less tournaments and all this. So for me (who) loves to compete, that was a very, very bad news," she said.
"Constant suffering," Badosa wrote on X, addressing her issue.
Paula Badosa: "I'm treating myself every day"
Since consulting the doctors in Indian Wells, Paula Badosa has competed in Miami, Charleston and Stuttgart. She shared an encouraging update about her back troubles.
"Now I’m happy that for the moment I’m okay. I’m treating myself every day. So for me, being able to play – I don’t know, three-four years would be amazing," she said on the aforementioned podcast.
Badosa, though, has registered just six wins against eight losses in 2024. Thanks to her prolonged absence, the former World No. 2 has dropped out of the top-100.
About her future goals, the Spaniard said she wishes to play a full season this year and hopes to return to the top-30.
"And of course, this year, to play the full year and be as high in rank as possible. I don’t like to put numbers, but I’d like to be top 30," she said.
"And top 10 would be amazing, but I think this year it’s too much. Maybe in a year or a year and a half, I’d like to be back there," she added.
Paula Badosa recently competed at the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where she defeated Diana Shnaider in the opening round. She retired mid-match against Aryna Sabalenka in the next round, citing a thigh injury.
Despite the setback, the Spaniard is expected to compete at the Madrid Open. She has entered the tournament through protected ranking.
