“I’ve had the best preseason I’ve ever had”: Paula Badosa targets return to the elite in 2026

Paula Badosa is already preparing for her return to competition in the 2026 season, facing the difficult task of defending her early-2025 ranking points and avoiding a significant drop in the standings. The former World No. 2 missed nearly half of last season after suffering another setback in her long-standing injury struggles, which caused her to slide down the rankings.

The Spaniard has been battling physical issues for several years, most notably a recurring back injury that has repeatedly disrupted her momentum on tour. Despite those challenges, Badosa enjoyed an impressive start to 2025, climbing back into the Top 10 and reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open.

However, physical problems resurfaced during the clay swing. After Wimbledon, Badosa was sidelined for almost the remainder of the season. It took her three months to return to competition during the Asian swing, where she made her comeback at the China Open. She opened with a win over Antonia Ruzic but was forced to retire in the second round against Karolina Muchova. It marked her fourth retirement of a season heavily defined by physical setbacks.

Still, the former Indian Wells champion remains determined to reclaim her place among the elite. Speaking in an interview with AE World from Dubai, Badosa reflected on the difficulties she has faced both on and off the court while trying to re-establish herself as one of the Tour’s leading players.

“It hasn’t been an easy journey,” admitted the 28-year-old. “The pressure and expectations are constant, both on and off the court. As a woman in professional tennis, you often feel the need to prove yourself more, and at the same time, you’re constantly being tested in ways that go beyond performance.”

“There have been ups and downs, but those experiences have shaped me. Over time, I’ve learned to trust myself more and to stay true to who I am, both as an athlete and as a person. That inner confidence has become one of my greatest strengths.”

Despite the negative moments, Badosa insists she is looking ahead with optimism, determined to extract positives from the physical problems that have prevented her from sustaining her best level consistently. “Unfortunately, my journey hasn’t always been easy. I’ve gone through many injuries and tough moments,” she said. “I’ve learned to see failure as part of the growth process. From each setback, I took a lesson. Setbacks teach you a lot if you’re willing to listen. Now I allow myself to feel the disappointment, but I don’t stay there — I analyse, learn, and move forward with everything I’ve learned.”

Currently ranked World No. 25, Badosa also looked back on her standout run at the Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals before falling to her close friend and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka — her best result to date at a major. Along the way, she defeated players such as Marta Kostyuk, Olga Danilovic and Coco Gauff, a run that secured her return to the Top 10.

“The Australian Open 2025 was very special for me. After a hard preseason, it confirmed that all the work I had done, both physically and mentally, was paying off,” Badosa explained. “It gave me the confidence boost I needed at that time.”

Looking ahead to the new season, the Spaniard feels stronger and more prepared than ever. “Going into 2026, I feel stronger and more secure. I’ve had the best preseason I’ve ever had. It’s been a longer one, but I needed those extra weeks to get my body reconditioned after the injuries I went through in 2025.”

Badosa also reiterated her concern for mental health in professional sport, highlighting the unique pressures of tennis, a discipline marked by constant travel, isolation and an unforgiving schedule. “Mental health is fundamental, especially in a sport as demanding and lonely as tennis,” she stressed. “Speaking openly helps normalise something many athletes struggle with in silence. Taking care of your mind is essential to performance, just like taking care of your body.”