"Politicians play politicians and athletes play athletes": Badosa believes politics and sport shouldn't mix
WTAFriday, 05 May 2023 at 12:41
Amid the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a spotlight has been shone in tennis with the Wimbledon ban and issues between players of these nations and Belarus.
Paula Badosa was a cover star for the recent issue of Glamour Spain and said last year that the Wimbledon ban made no sense and said similar that politics and sport shouldn't mix.
“Absolutely, they shouldn’t mix,” she said to Glamour Magazine.
“Unfortunately, they have been involved, but I will never understand it. In the end, sports and politics have nothing to do with each other and it is a shame that there is so much mixing between players.’
“We don’t know what’s out there, there are many opinions and we don’t know 100% everything either, nor will we know. In my case, I prefer to be apart and dedicate myself to mine. Politicians play politicians and athletes play athletes.”
Dealing with burnout and mental health issues at times, Badosa also spoke about the intensity of the tour and that at times the preparation isn't there to deal with it.
“The most important thing is the environment you have and how you rely on them (her team) because in the end, it’s very intense.” She explained.
“You are very young and you have to mature by leaps and bounds. Sometimes your head is not prepared to withstand all that pressure, that demand of playing in front of 20,000 people, the press and yourself. Lots of things accumulate. In addition, there are social networks, which are also something that influences (a player). That is why there are players who retire, who experience anxiety, and depression.”
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.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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