"I am going to retire young..": Paula Badosa's heartbreaking retirement admission as back injury continues
WTA
Paula Badosa has made the heartbreaking admission that she will likely retire young then have to be operated on straight away meaning she won't stop until she is told to.
In the spring of 2024, the Spanish tennis star who is still in her late 20's shared that her persistent back injury is a chronic issue. For instance Anett Kontaveit had similar and had to retire from the sport early as it got too much.
Badosa on the otherhand had new treatment and it worked out. She made her first Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open but after reaching the top 10 again and becoming a force in the top 10, it all came crashing down.
Badosa ended up having a recurrence of the injury during Merida Open Akron which has seen her barely play since and was the blow she did not need.
“I have no choice [but to keep going], I’m very stubborn. For me to retire, the doctors would have to tell me, and I am in daily contact with them. I have told him many times: ‘until you operate on me and there is no solution, I will continue with the infiltrations’, even knowing how bad they feel and how harmful they are to the body," the world No. 10 said as per Eurosport.ES.
But while she has decided to keep going until the doctors tell her under a stubbornness, she admits that she will likely have to be operated on as soon as she finishes her career. She heads into the clay court season which is where her issues started and it is still a big concern.
"Having such a strong character has helped me to accept this over time, I know that I am going to retire young and the next day I will go straight to the operating room," Badosa added.
Paula Badosa embraces Ons Jabeur between practice sessions in Rome. pic.twitter.com/svnhcQegbB
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) May 5, 2025
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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