Madrid (Spain) – Former number 2 in the world, Spanish Paula Badosa currently does not even appear in the top 100 of the WTA, occupying a modest 101st place in the latest ranking. The constant pain in her back due to the stress fracture she suffered last year is mainly responsible for all of this and could end up shortening the 26-year-old tennis player’s career.
“I think what makes me fight every day is the love I have for this sport. I always had the goal of being one of the best in the world, winning tournaments and facing great players. That’s why I’m here. For me, being able to play another three or four years would be incredible”, said the Spaniard in an interview with WTA Insider Podcast.
Struggling to stay on the circuit, Badosa had another recent setback, forced to abandon in the second round of the WTA 500 in Stuttgart in a close match with Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. The hug at the net between the two players at the end of the match was touching.
Despite the uncertainty about her future on the circuit, the Spaniard is racing against time to try to play in the WTA 1000 in Madrid. “When looking at some of my exams in March in Indian Wells, the doctors told me that it is difficult to continue my career,” said Badosa.
“After I begged them to give me a solution, they advised me to take regular cortisone injections. This is the only way if I want to continue for a few years. I told them I’m 26, it was difficult. The pain is there and there are moments when I can’t take it anymore”, revealed the Spaniard, who has been working mentally to overcome the moment.
“I’m doing great mental work to be strong. My team is helping me a lot to overcome complicated situations because for 11 months every time I enter the court I have felt some pain, and that is a very hard blow for me. Anyway, I’m controlling things the best I can and I’m very excited to play here,” Badosa said at a press conference in Madrid.
Despite the lack of pace, she still believes she can do well on the circuit. “My tennis level is still there, as we saw last week. The back injury I have is complicated because it is chronic. I have very severe pain, but due to the lack of games other problems are emerging”, said the Spaniard.
“Not feeling any pain on the track will be very difficult for me, but I’m dealing with it the best I can. The day I stop believing in my possibilities of doing important things, I will stop playing”, he added.
Tags: physical uncertainties Badosa believes
