“It’s too much”: Stefanos Tsitsipas makes candid admission after Paula Badosa breakup

Friday, 23 October 2026 at 02:30

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Stefanos Tsitsipas has offered a candid insight into his past relationship with Paula Badosa, admitting that he has found greater peace and tranquillity by being with someone outside professional tennis. The Greek discussed the difficulties of sharing the same profession with a partner, the anxiety surrounding their careers and his discomfort with having his private life exposed to the public.

Tsitsipas and Badosa were one of tennis's most high-profile couples after making their relationship public in 2023. Their romance attracted considerable attention from fans, with the pair even earning the nickname “Tsitsidosa”. However, their relationship ended in 2025 after a separation and reconciliation the previous year.

Badosa has since spoken publicly about how difficult the breakup was, describing aspects of the situation surrounding their relationship as toxic. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, has largely avoided discussing their separation in detail, choosing not to name the Spaniard when reflecting on his experiences in Almaty.

The former world No. 3 is currently competing at the Almaty Open, where he has reached the quarter-finals after defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic and Mikhail Kukushkin. His latest comments offer a rare look into how he views relationships between professional athletes, particularly when both partners are immersed in the same demanding environment.

Tsitsipas explains why he prefers dating outside tennis

Tsitsipas' reflections began with a comparison between his life as a professional tennis player and the kind of personal life he wants outside the sport. Rather than suggesting that two athletes cannot make a relationship work, the Greek described how sharing the same profession can make it difficult to switch off from the pressures of competition.

“I have found more peace and tranquillity from not being with someone that does the same thing as me. As a creative person, I like to escape my world whenever I'm not in it, and it's very difficult to do so when you're with someone that shares exactly what you do."

“Now, that is not an excuse for why not to be with someone, because obviously when you love someone and you really care for someone, you will move mountains in order to be with them and spend time with them."

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa back in 2024.

“But you do realise one thing that I personally felt is that it's too much. There's a lot of anxiety, there's a lot of uncertainty, and my whole life almost duplicates around tennis, when in fact I want to be more in control of what I want to do in my life and how I want to live my life.

“I have preferred a life where I'm with someone that is not in the same field or in the same profession as me. I feel like it keeps me calmer, it keeps my head clear, and it keeps my life more private.”

Privacy was another central theme in his comments. The attention surrounding his relationship with Badosa made their personal lives a subject of public interest, something Tsitsipas now says he finds difficult to embrace.

“And having a private life for me is the most important thing. I was never a fan of being in the public eye, especially when I'm with someone. I'm a private person, and that made me feel very uncomfortable.

“I've never shared that with people before, but I don't thrive in that environment. I like some things for myself. I prefer, and I believe that not everything needs to be shared with the world.”

🗣️ Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up about dating a tennis pro "I have preferred a life where I'm with someone that is not in the same field as me. It keeps me calmer, it keeps my head clear. I was never a fan of being in the public eye. That made me feel very uncomfortable" https://t.co/5e6tLrR6B8
— BB Tennis (@BBTennis_tv) October 22, 2026

Badosa and Tsitsipas move forward with their careers

The comments come as both players continue to navigate their professional careers following their separation. Badosa, who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2, has been working to regain her best form after dealing with physical setbacks in recent seasons. She is still pursuing the Grand Slam title that has remained beyond her reach.

Tsitsipas, meanwhile, is looking to build momentum in the final stretch of the 2026 season. After opening his Almaty campaign with a hard-fought win over Kovacevic, he defeated home favourite Kukushkin 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals. The victory also marked the final professional match of Kukushkin's career.

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The Greek will next face James Duckworth as he attempts to collect valuable ranking points before the season concludes. Sitting outside the top 30, Tsitsipas has work to do if he wants to improve his seeding prospects for the 2027 Australian Open.

Although Tsitsipas did not directly attribute the end of his relationship with Badosa to their shared profession, his remarks make clear that he now values a greater separation between his personal life and tennis.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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