"I think Paula is a player destined for a major title" - Former world number two makes bold prediction about Badosa

Paula Badosa is one of the most talented tennis players on the WTA Circuit, but in recent years has been consistently plagued by injuries and setbacks halting her progress. Her talent is undeniable, with former world number two Alex Corretja believing she can go on and win a major title.

It has been frustration after frustration for the Spaniard. She made a name for herself in 2021 after triumphing in the Indian Wells Open. The next year she reached an incredible high of world number two after adding three WTA titles to her arsenal. She was touted as a special player and destined to challenge for many more big titles.

However, this was not meant to be easy for Badosa. In 2023, she suffered a stress fracture in her back when playing in the Rome Open. She retired from the match and made a return at Wimbledon later that year. However, the pain became too much in the second round and she retired from the tournament. It was a major blow for her, as she sunk down to world number 66.

She made a comeback in 2024, winning a title in the DC Open. She also made her first major quarter-final at the US Open since Roland Garros in 2021. This was backed up at the start of 2025 with a semi-final in the Australian Open, losing in straight sets to Aryna Sabalenka. The back injuries would continue to plague her progress in 2025. She was growing more frustrated by these retirements and inability to make more leeway in the rankings where she belongs. After a first-round exit at Wimbledon, she would miss the US Open with these back problems continuing to annoy her. She made a return in the China Open but retired in her round of 32 tie against Karolina Muchova six games in.

Corretja was lauding his fellow Spaniard highly, wishing that she would overcome her demons and have a consistent spell on court where she would bring joy and glory home.

"Spanish women's tennis needs Badosa; she is its emblematic figure, the highest-level player with a strong personality," he told Eurosport. "I hope she will be in full physical shape and finds the right balance to play at her best, both technically and mentally."

He outlined his high ambitions for the former major semi-finalist. "I think Paula is a player destined for a major title, to reach the peak of her dreams, and she will only achieve this if she avoids injuries and significant fluctuations in her form," he stated.

He concluded by believing that this was always her dream, but she has been prevented of succeeding it. "I believe she has always dreamed, mentally, of accomplishing something unimaginable for most, and I think she is capable of it."

Badosa is looking to make a return to the sport. Most recently she has made a return in the World tennis League exhibition, flying the flag for the Eagles. Her team reached the final but would lose out to the Kites despite winning all their group matches. Badosa was a key part of this, especially in the doubles. Despite this, she lost both singles matches she played against Magda Linette and Marta Kostyuk.

In 2026, she will make a return to the Adelaide International from January 12-18, her first WTA event since the end of September. She has won a title before in Australia, coming in the 2022 Sydney International against Barbora Krecjikova. She will be hoping for similar fortune before the current world number 25 looks to defend the semi-final ranking points she earned at the Australian Open. It will commence from January 18 - February 1.