WATCH: Emotional Paula Badosa Smashes Racket After Retiring At Berlin Open

Paula Badosa could not contain her anger after suffering yet another injury setback and retiring in the 2025 Berlin Open quarterfinal.

Badosa has consistently struggled with a back injury she sustained in mid-2023. Although the Spaniard returned from that problem at the start of 2024, she has endured several setbacks due to that problem.

The issue is so severe that Badosa admitted she expects to retire earlier than most players. Nonetheless, the 2021 Indian Wells Open champion possesses an admirable determination to keep playing and fight for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Badosa's latest comeback from a spell on the sidelines started at last month's 2025 Internationaux de Strasbourg. She showed promising signs at Roland Garros and the Berlin Open, including wins against Naomi Osaka and Emma Navarro.

Xinyu Wang, who defeated Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff in the round of 16, was Badosa's quarterfinal opponent in Berlin. It promised to be a fascinating battle between two powerful hitters in good form.

Unfortunately, Badosa never looked comfortable from the start. Wang's high level meant she might have found it challenging to win regardless, but another physical issue meant she couldn't compete effectively.

However, Badosa's back did not seem to be the issue. While it was challenging to decipher the exact ailment, the 2025 Australian Open semifinalist had a physio look around her right ankle.

After trying to play for three more points, Badosa retired at 1-6, 0-40. Any retirement is tough for players to accept, but the frequency with which it happens to the Spaniard meant she was understandably emotional in Berlin.

Badosa deserves credit for shaking hands respectfully with Wang and the umpire first despite the anger building inside her, which then dramatically poured out after her exchange with the umpire.

The 27-year-old smashed her racket onto the grass four times before throwing it away in disgust. Players who do that, especially on grass, where the surface can become damaged, are often booed.

But the fans in Berlin did not do this and showed Badosa understanding. They also gave her a round of applause as she left the court, although the former WTA world No. 2 was too emotional to acknowledge them and kept her head down.

Hopefully, the injury is not too severe, and Badosa will be fit in time for the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. Another few months or more on the sidelines might be too much for her to bear.

As mentioned previously, Badosa has shown terrific resilience to consistently fight back despite her constant problems and acceptance that she will retire early. However, based on her immediate reaction, this setback seems to have hit even harder than before.

Badosa will undoubtedly get sympathy from her best friend Aryna Sabalenka. The three-time Grand Slam champion also made headlines for being angry with opponent Rebeka Masarova in the round of 16 for getting their match suspended.

Masarova claimed the court was too slippery to play, but Sabalenka felt the Swiss just wanted to get off the court after losing the opening set. The world No. 1 ultimately won 6-2, 7-6.