"I want to see tomorrow’s headlines: 'Paula attacks Tsitsipas', well he deserves it": Badosa opens on escaping 'toxic' Tsitsipas environment
WTAThursday, 18 June 2026 at 08:10
Paula Badosa was certainly on form in many ways on Wednesday at the Berlin Ladies Open as she took down Coco Gauff and did the same with her ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas in the post match press conference.
Badosa called him toxic and said that the breakup was tough and affected her on court as a result. She said that dating where she works also was a bit of a problem as you go from in a normal relationship perhaps being civil and never seeing them again to seeing them all the time still.
"I have experienced several breakups in my life. I accept them and I know things are what they are. But when there are toxic things around you, everything becomes much more difficult than a normal breakup," she said.
"You can have an excellent relationship with an ex, because they are normal people and the relationship remains normal. But when that's not the case... I don't need to say more. Every day we see the other person making things more complicated."
Nearly quit over relationship woes
She said that it got to the point that she nearly decided to quit the sport as a result of this and that she found it hard to find a light at the end of the tunnel both due to injuries but also her personal life.
“After Madrid I had to stop, mentally it was too much for me. I couldn’t find a way to see a light (at the end of the tunnel), but I’ve been doing everything I can. A year ago, I was in the top 10, and seeing where I am now isn’t easy. That’s the professional side. On the personal side, the process hasn’t been easy either, trying to clear a lot of things from my life," she said.
Paula Badosa at 2025 Roland Garros
“Finally, it’s been a few months since I’ve been in a good environment, but getting past the toxic things around me wasn’t easy. But it’s something you have to go through as a woman, and I’m feeling strong again."
But she was more jovial as she joked that she wanted to see headlines attacking Tsitsipas in the media tomorrow amid these relationship travails.
"Now I want to see tomorrow’s headlines: 'Paula attacks Tsitsipas'," said the Spaniard joking as she left the press room. “Well, he deserves it!" she concluded.
All of the feels! 🥹@paulabadosa | #BTO26 pic.twitter.com/IwbedqzGQi
— wta (@WTA) June 17, 2026
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
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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