"He was more nervous than me": Paula Badosa praises Stefanos Tsitsipas' support after reaching Australian Open fourth round

"The first time I noticed Paula was when I saw her at the 2020 Australian Open, playing on Centre Court," Stefanos Tsitsipas said. "It was love at first sight, and I was completely mesmerised." These were the words of the Greek star as he reflected on the first time he saw his now-partner, Paula Badosa.

Badosa has now reached the fourth round of the Australian Open after defeating Marta Kostyuk, continuing her strong return to the tour after struggling with injuries in 2024. It is well known that Badosa and Tsitsipas have been in a relationship since mid-2023, and they have supported each other throughout their tennis journeys. Tsitsipas was in attendance for his partner’s third-round contest against Kostyuk, visibly engaged as Badosa communicated her struggles in the third set to both her coaching team and her boyfriend.

After dealing with injury setbacks last year, Badosa is looking for a fresh start in 2025, and her strong performances so far suggest she is on the right track. The Spaniard is aiming for a deep run in Melbourne, building on the momentum of her third-round victory.

Badosa secured a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win over Ukrainian opponent Kostyuk in a hard-fought three-set battle. The 12th seed had to overcome early adversity, losing her serve in the opening set, but she quickly regained control to take it 6-4. The second set did not go as planned, with Kostyuk racing to a five-game lead, and although Badosa mounted a late fightback, the 18th seed closed out the set to force a decider.

Ultimately, Badosa dominated the third set, sealing the victory and her place in the fourth round. The contest lasted just over two and a half hours, with Kostyuk committing 16 double faults, which proved costly. This marks the second time Badosa has reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, having previously done so in 2022.

During the match, there was a moment when Badosa appeared to be talking towards her coaching box, which sparked speculation that she was arguing with Tsitsipas. However, she later clarified that she was actually speaking to her coach.

The post-match interviewer asked: "Tsitsipas was in the crowd. At 0-5, you asked if he wanted to come on court & play…"

Badosa responded "I was saying that to my coach, honestly. He [Tsitsipas] was very supportive, giving me amazing tips and going for it aggressively."

She went on to praise her partner’s presence and encouragement throughout the match. "He supported me at every point, and I think he was more nervous than me. His support, his tips, his aggression—it all made a difference. I appreciate his unwavering support here."

Badosa’s run in the Australian Open has been impressive, and she is showing the resilience and determination needed to push further in the tournament. With Tsitsipas by her side, offering both emotional and tactical support, she continues to grow in confidence. As the first grand slam of the year unfolds, all eyes will be on Badosa to see just how far she can go.