“And to the haters, the ones who enjoy seeing me struggle...”: Paula Badosa sends defiant message after Gauff defeat

Friday, 04 September 2026 at 20:00

Paula Badosa sent a defiant message to her critics after her US Open defeat to Coco Gauff, addressing those who “enjoy seeing me struggle” following another difficult chapter in a season that has taken the Spaniard from outside the Top 100 to a renewed fight for relevance at the biggest tournaments.

Badosa was eliminated in the second round at Flushing Meadows after a 6-4, 7-6(5) defeat to fourth seed Gauff, but the score told a more encouraging story than the final result. The Spaniard pushed one of the tournament favorites throughout the contest and came within a few points of forcing a deciding set against the former US Open champion.

The performance followed an equally impressive opening-round victory over Daria Kasatkina, whom Badosa defeated 6-1, 6-4. It was a notable result considering her limited Grand Slam activity this season, having missed Roland Garros through injury and entered New York with just one major match victory in 2026.

Her run at the US Open also continued a recovery that had begun only weeks earlier. Badosa had fallen outside the Top 100 two months ago and arrived with a 15-17 record for the season, but her title at the WTA 125 Nordea Open and subsequent run to the Iasi Open final allowed her to secure direct entry into the main draw at Flushing Meadows at the last possible moment.

Badosa sends message to critics after Gauff battle

The defeat to Gauff ended her New York campaign, but Badosa made clear afterwards that she sees her recent results as part of a longer process rather than a finished comeback. In a message shared on social media, the former world No. 2 thanked those who have continued to support her while acknowledging the difficulty of trying to rebuild her level under constant public scrutiny.

“Thanks to everyone for all the amazing and positive messages," she wrote on social media. "I know this can be a very mean place sometimes, so receiving all this love and support means a lot to me. I’m giving it my all to get back to where I want to be. Step by step, but getting there. As you already know, giving up is never an option. So, see you very soon.”

Badosa also singled out the supporters who have remained with her through the injuries and inconsistent results that have defined much of the past two seasons. “Thanks to all my unconditional fans. Love you”

But her strongest message was directed at those who have doubted her ability to return to the top level. Rather than ignoring the criticism, Badosa suggested that it has become part of the motivation behind her attempt to restore her career.

“And to the haters, the ones who doubt me, criticize me or enjoy seeing me struggle… thank you. You only remind me how much I want to prove myself right. So yeah, love you too.”

Thanks to everyone for all the amazing and positive messages. I know this can be a very mean place sometimes, so receiving all this love and support means a lot to me. I’m giving it my all to get back to where I want to be. Step by step, but getting there. As you already know,…
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) September 4, 2026

Paula Badosa in Grand Slam tournaments during 2026

Tournament	Round	Opponent	Opponent Ranking	Result	Result
Australian Open	R128	Zarina Diyas	290	W	6-2, 6-4
Australian Open	R64	Oksana Selekhmeteva	101	L	4-6, 4-6
Wimbledon	R128	Emma Navarro [23]	26	L	6-4, 3-6, 5-7
US Open	R128	Daria Kasatkina	61	W	6-1, 6-4
US Open	R64	Coco Gauff [4]	4	L	4-6, 6-7(5)

Signs of progress after difficult year

The US Open was Badosa's third Grand Slam appareance of 2026, with only two victories. Her Australian Open campaign ended in the second round against Oksana Selekhmeteva after she had defeated Zarina Diyas in her opener, while injury ruled her out of Roland Garros as she lost in Wimbledon first round against Emma Navarro.

That made her New York results particularly important. The win over Kasatkina was among her best of the season, while the performance against Gauff showed that the Spaniard remains capable of challenging the sport's leading players despite the gap between her current ranking and the position she occupied at her peak.

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Her US Open run is projected to bring an 18-place jump in the WTA rankings, moving her to around world No. 69. It is still far from the career-high No. 2 ranking she reached in 2022, but the trajectory has changed significantly from where she stood only two months ago.

Badosa will now leave New York without a deep tournament run, but with consecutive weeks of progress behind her and a much stronger performance against elite opposition than her season record alone would suggest.

After years in which injuries repeatedly interrupted her momentum, the Spaniard's message was clear: she is not prepared to let the latest setback define what comes next.

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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