'I'm Going To Retire Young': Badosa Makes Shocking Revelation About Chronic Injury
NewsWednesday, 07 May 2025 at 19:15
Paula Badosa recently gave a frank and emotive interview in which she admitted that she expects to retire from tennis earlier than most players.
The former WTA world No. 2 has been managing a chronic back injury since 2023. That problem led to her missing all tournaments after Wimbledon in 2023, but it did not fully go away when she returned to the sport.
Badosa endured many setbacks, retirements, and withdrawals in the first few months of her comeback. But she kept fighting and achieved excellent results in the second half of 2024, including winning the Citi Open in Washington and reaching the Cincinnati Open semifinal.
Those efforts were particularly impressive since Badosa admitted she thought about retiring with the troublesome back injury. It is an issue she will always have to manage throughout the rest of her career.
Badosa's back flared up again during the 2025 Merida Open in February. The Spaniard briefly returned at the 2025 Miami Open, but withdrew before the round of 16 and missed her home tournament at the Madrid Open.
In a candid interview with Eurosport, Badosa admitted that she finds it tough to miss events because of her injury, although the 2025 Australian Open semifinalist also said she manages disappointment better than in previous years.
"I'm fine, trying to manage this as best I can. Obviously, I could be better; I'd like to be playing. With how much I love competing, the way I started the year, the way I've been working, and how I've improved mentally... it's tough."
"Right now, watching a game from the sidelines and thinking it could be me in there is very painful. Anyway, I manage this feeling better today than I did in years past; I've learned with age."
Badosa then confirmed that her back injury is permanent and chronic. She described how the injury hits and admits it makes living a normal life away from tennis impossible.
"It's a permanent, chronic injury. The problem is that this time it's different. I still have the pain on my right side under control, but now it's coming on suddenly and hitting the nerve. It's like a hernia that's moved. I could play with this, but the problem is that it's hitting the nerve. With this, I can't even live a normal life."
Part of what makes Badosa a fan favorite is her willingness to speak honestly about her life on and off the court. She did that again by admitting to the interviewer that she expects to retire early and have surgery immediately afterward.
"Having such a strong character has helped me accept this over time. I know I'm going to retire young and the next day I'll be straight into surgery. I know this because of my career and the problems I have with my back."
Despite Badosa accepting the reality of her situation, she intends to keep playing for as long as possible and will only retire when her doctors say it is necessary.
"I have no choice; I'm very stubborn. For me to stop, the doctors would have to tell me so... and I'm in daily contact with them. I've told them many times: until you operate on me and there's no other solution, I'll continue with the injections, even though I know how bad they are for me and how harmful they are to my body."
Badosa plans to return at the ongoing 2025 Italian Open and is scheduled to face Naomi Osaka in a blockbuster encounter.
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