Paula Badosa was over the moon as she clinched her first title in over two years at the 2024 Citi Open in Washington, D.C. The Spaniard had tears in her eyes when she fell to the ground to soak in the moment.
Badosa, a former World No. 2, faced Czech Marie Bouzkova in the rain-delayed WTA 500 final on Sunday, August 4. She clinched the opener in emphatic fashion (6-1) despite losing the first game, but faltered in the final moments of the second set, allowing her opponent to force a decider (6-4).
In the third set, the two finalists traded breaks in the opening two games. Paula Badosa, though, regrouped quickly to soon establish a 4-2 lead. She came out on top 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, after a failed return from her opponent.
Realizing her victory, Badosa dropped to the ground in elation and tears of joy. She kissed the court and soaked it all in.
Watch the video here:
Paula Badosa dismissed Sofia Kenin, Liudmila Samsonova, Emma Raducanu, and Caroline Dolehide en route to the final. This was the 26-year-old’s first title in over two years, with her previous victory coming at the WTA 500 in Sydney in 2022.
Badosa had a tough couple of seasons with multiple injuries, including a recurring back injury, which derailed her campaigns and briefly pushed her out of the top 100. She has reentered the world top 50 after clinching the fourth title of her career. It is worth nothing that the Spaniard has a perfect record in the finals she’s contested so far, winning each. This is also Badosa’s second title in the United States; her first was the WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open in 2021.
Paula Badosa thanks her family and boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas after Citi Open 2024 win
In April of this year, Paula Badosa revealed she was resorting to injections to have a chance at continuing her tennis journey after her career-threatening spinal injury. She has had her family, her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and her coaching team by her side throughout the ordeal.
In her victory speech, she thanked her team and her loved ones for their constant support.
"They’re like part of my family. They’ve been with me (through) the ups and downs – it was more downs than ups lately - so I’m really thankful for that. And I love you so much and this is part of you guys," she said, addressing her coach, Pol Toledo, and her manager, Claudia Taberner.
"… Of course, a very important part of my life – my family. I know they’re watching also – mama, papa, sister, my grandma, my boyfriend. They’re so supportive always with me. So thank you; it’s part of you guys also," she added.
Badosa is next expected to compete at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto (August 6-12). She faces Clara Tauson in the opening round.