Paula Badosa ends season in tears after retiring from Hong Kong Open opener

Tuesday, 03 November 2026 at 18:30

Paula Badosa's 2026 season came to an emotional end on Tuesday after the former world No. 2 was forced to retire from her Hong Kong Open first-round match against lucky loser Elena Pridankina. The Spaniard left the court in tears after receiving medical attention following the opening set, which she lost 7-5 despite having established an early advantage.

The defeat marks another disappointing chapter in a campaign that has been repeatedly interrupted by physical problems. Badosa had started the match strongly, opening a 4-1 lead against the world No. 206 and earning an opportunity to move further ahead. However, Pridankina fought back to level the set before taking control in the closing stages.

The 28-year-old requested medical assistance after losing the first set, with her blood pressure and vital signs checked before she decided she could not continue. The scenes were particularly difficult given that Badosa had experienced similar problems just days earlier during her previous tournament in Guangzhou.

It was the third retirement of the season for Badosa, following her withdrawals in Dubai against Elina Svitolina and in the final of the Iasi Open against Mayar Sherif. She will now finish the year outside the world's top 50, with a 29-23 win-loss record and further questions surrounding her preparations for the next campaign.

Badosa retires after losing opening set against Pridankina

Badosa appeared to be in control during the early stages of her Hong Kong opener. The Spaniard broke Pridankina to establish a 4-1 lead and had an opportunity to claim another break, which would have put her within reach of taking the opening set. However, she failed to convert that chance, allowing the Russian to remain in contention.

Pridankina gradually found her rhythm and recovered the break in the seventh game. The match then became more competitive, with the lucky loser continuing to put pressure on Badosa's serve. After levelling the score at 5-5, the Russian broke again in a lengthy 11th game before serving out the set to take it 7-5.

Shortly afterwards, Badosa requested a medical timeout. The former world No. 2 had her blood pressure and vital signs checked, but ultimately decided against continuing the match. She left the court visibly emotional, bringing her season to an abrupt end.

Pridankina had entered the main draw as a lucky loser after Kaitlin Quevedo withdrew from the tournament. The Russian, currently ranked No. 206, therefore secured her place in the main draw shortly before facing Badosa, who had been looking to finish her season with a stronger result.

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Another setback after similar scenes in Guangzhou

The retirement in Hong Kong came just days after Badosa experienced a similar situation at the Guangzhou Open. During her quarter-final against Harriet Dart, the Spaniard had taken the opening set and established a break advantage before beginning to struggle in the hot conditions.

Badosa received medical attention during that match, with her blood pressure and vital signs also checked. Although she chose to continue, her level dropped as Dart recovered to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and eventually went on to claim the title.

The latest withdrawal is her 40th retirement of her professional career and her third in 2026. She previously stopped during her second-round match against Elina Svitolina in Dubai and was unable to complete the final of the Iasi Open against Mayar Sherif.

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Badosa will turn 29 on November 15 and ends the season with 29 victories and 23 defeats. Her ranking has also slipped considerably from the position she once held as world No. 2, leaving her outside the top 50 heading into the off-season.

There will also be a coaching decision to address. Badosa parted ways with Pol Toledo after the Beijing tournament and has been without a coach since then. Finding a new member of her team will be one of the priorities as she prepares for 2027, but her immediate focus will be on recovering before beginning another attempt to return to the level that once made her one of the leading players on the WTA Tour.

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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