Competing on the court is tough for all tennis players, but Paula Badosa has outlined why watching her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas, is even more difficult.
Badosa is currently in Washington to compete at the Citi Open. In the opening round of the only combined ATP and WTA 500 event on the tennis calendar, she will face the 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin.
The Spaniard is able to play in Washington because she skipped the Olympic Games in Paris. That decision shocked some, not just because of the magnitude of the event but also because Badosa is very good on clay.
However, Badosa explained she prefers playing tournaments that award ranking points. The Olympics does not award points to players, which is a source of controversy as many think those who go far at the games deserve to be rewarded.
That situation is not going to change, though, meaning players like Badosa, Aryna Sabalenka, and Ons Jabeur will receive ranking points in Washington. Tsitsipas is one player competing at the Olympics.
Tsitsipas' best surface is clay. He has won the ATP Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo on three occasions and was the runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the French Open in 2021. Therefore, the Olympics being at Roland-Garros presents a unique opportunity for him to claim a medal.
Although the couple are at separate tournaments, it is unlikely either will sit and watch the other on TV. Tsitsipas previously explained why he and Badosa do not watch each other play.
The Spaniard offered additional insight into this issue in an interview with La Vanguardia. She explained in a short but clear way why watching Tsitsipas play is more difficult than being on the court herself.
"I would probably say that you suffer more off the court because you can't do anything to come in and help him. And when you're playing, in the end, you yourself have that control."
Badosa's feelings are entirely understandable. As a fellow professional player, her instinct is that she wants to be out on the court helping her boyfriend, but that is not possible while sitting in the stands watching.
The 26-year-old also delved into how she and Tsitsipas manage their relationship in such a highly competitive environment. She believes it is important to strike a balance between being empathetic and retaining their competitive instincts.
"Both realities are present: we empathize a lot with each other, but we are also two tremendously competitive people," she said, adding, "Although in the realm of couples what prevails is a healthy relationship where we have mutual respect and understand each other very well."
Tennis players already have stressful lives due to consistently being in the public domain. Two top tennis players like Badosa and Tsitsipas dating each other only adds to that scrutiny. That is an additional strain and a source of anxiety many would find difficult.
Badosa spoke very articulately about her relationship with Tsitsipas during the interview with Lavanguardia. The Spaniard's perspective will help the stresses of being in a very public relationship.
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