Paula BADOSA withdraws from 2024 Indian Wells Open hours before opening round due to injury

After playing mixed doubles and reaching the final of the Eisenhower Cup, Paula Badosa will not play any part in this year's Indian Wells Open after withdrawing from injury hours before her opening match was due to take place.

Badosa who went down in tears at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships was a surprise entrant into the Indian Wells Open after continuous back issues, but was confirmed as a wildcard mere days ago. But likely after her Tie Break Tens with Stefanos Tsitsipas, she has likely made the decision that she is not 100% ready for a full return to action.

She was due to face another wildcard in Ashlyn Krueger at around 4:30am CET in the early hours of Thursday morning, but she will now be replaced by lucky loser, Nadia Podoroska who will take her place in the draw. The 2021 champion had one of the best tournaments of her life in Tennis Paradise back then, but now her continued injury struggles have left her searching for yet more answers.

"So sorry I have to withdraw from my favourite tournament," she wrote on Instagram. I tried everything to be able to play but wasn't enough. I'm having a very difficult time with my injury but I'm fighting everyday to comeback as soon as possible. I wanna thank the fans that are sticking with me specially this past year. I'm sorry I haven't given what you are what you are expecting from me and I'm just giving you sad news lately. I also want to thank the tournament for the wildcard, you are the best tournament in the world. See you next year. Hopefully soon the tears will be tears of joy again (sad emoji)."