But the injury isn’t in the rearview, in fact, it never will be.
Following “the real blow” at the Miami Open, which saw her withdraw ahead of a round-of-16 match in Miami against Alexandra Eala, Badosa was forced to delay her 2025 clay debut.
Although making the trip to Madrid, she opted not to compete at her home tournament. The former world No. 2 revealed she was “unable to do anything for almost four weeks” after Miami, “neither tennis nor normal life.”
She’s seeded No. 9 in Rome, with a first-round bye in Iga Swiatek’s quarter.
Do I want to spend five more years playing fewer tournaments, or take a few risks and strive for the big goals? I guess the answer lies in finding a balance. – Paula Badosa
“Do I want to spend five more years playing fewer tournaments, or take a few risks and strive for the big goals?” she said in her interview. “I guess the answer lies in finding a balance.”
The big goals she’s referring to? Winning a Grand Slam trophy.
“I came so close to it, so now I want it even more,” she said. “Despite these injuries, I’ve been able to prove that, even when I’m healthy, I’m one of the best in the world. That makes me wonder: why can’t I be the next one if I’m in shape?”
And the balance she’s searching for? It certainly doesn’t include retirement.
“I’ve assimilated it,” Badosa said. “I know I’m going to retire young and the next day I’ll be straight into surgery.”
