What Happened to Paula Badosa Gibert?
Paula Badosa is a Spanish professional tennis player who rose to a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in 2022. Her career has been marked by significant achievements, including a WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells, but also by persistent and debilitating back injuries that have caused frequent setbacks and fluctuations in her ranking. As of March 2026, she continues to battle injuries while striving to regain her top form on the WTA Tour.
Quick Answer
Paula Badosa is a Spanish tennis player who has faced ongoing challenges with chronic back injuries, significantly impacting her career since 2023. After a strong comeback in 2024 and reaching the Australian Open semifinals in 2025, she again struggled with injuries, leading to an early end to her 2025 season and a fluctuating ranking in early 2026. As of March 2026, she is competing in tournaments like the Miami Open, attempting to overcome her physical issues and climb back up the rankings, despite recently dropping out of the WTA Top 100.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
French Open Junior Champion
Paula Badosa concluded her junior career by winning the girls' singles title at Roland-Garros, signaling her potential in the sport.
Breaks into WTA Top 100
After years of navigating the professional circuit and overcoming personal struggles, Badosa broke into the WTA Top 100 for the first time.
Wins First WTA Tour Title in Belgrade
Badosa claimed her maiden WTA Tour singles title at the Serbia Open in Belgrade, marking a significant step in her professional career.
Captures Indian Wells Title and Enters Top 10
She won her first WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final, and subsequently entered the world's top 10.
Achieves Career-High World No. 2 Ranking
Paula Badosa reached her career-high singles ranking of world No. 2, a testament to her consistent performance and rise in the sport.
Struggles with Multiple Injuries
The year was plagued by multiple injuries, particularly a chronic back issue, which led to her dropping out of the world's top 65 and significantly impacted her season.
Named WTA Comeback Player of the Year
Despite dropping out of the top 100 in April, Badosa made a strong return, winning a title in Washington D.C. and reaching the US Open quarterfinals, earning her the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Reaches Australian Open Semifinals
Badosa achieved her best Grand Slam result by reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, which also saw her return to the WTA Top 10.
Splits with Stefanos Tsitsipas
After a period of on-again, off-again, Paula Badosa and fellow tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas ended their relationship for the second and final time.
Ends 2025 Season Early Due to Back Injury
Badosa announced she was ending her 2025 season prematurely after retiring from the China Open due to her persistent back injury, vowing to come back stronger in 2026.
Confirms 'Sexy and Single' Status on 28th Birthday
On her 28th birthday, Badosa posted photos on Instagram with a sash reading 'Sexy and Single,' publicly confirming her relationship status after her split from Tsitsipas.
Plays Australian Open, Addresses Injury Concerns
Badosa won her first-round match at the Australian Open 2026, acknowledging in her press conference that her back injury is a constant struggle but expressing positivity about her current physical state.
Set to Drop Out of Top 100 Again Amid Injury
After retiring from a match in Dubai due to a left thigh injury and withdrawing from the WTA Merida, Badosa was reported to officially drop out of the WTA Top 100 once more.
Reaches Semifinals at WTA 125 Austin
Following an early exit at Indian Wells, Badosa received a wildcard for the WTA 125 tournament in Austin, where she reached the semifinals, seeking match play to regain form.
Scheduled to Debut at Miami Open
Paula Badosa is scheduled to play her first match at the Miami Open 2026, continuing her season despite recent injury setbacks and aiming for a strong performance.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Paula Badosa Gibert, born in New York City to Spanish parents, began her professional tennis career in 2015 after winning the French Open junior title. Her breakthrough on the WTA Tour came in 2021, where she secured her first career title in Belgrade and then famously won the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells, propelling her into the top 10. This impressive run culminated in a semifinal appearance at the WTA Finals.
In April 2022, Badosa achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 2, solidifying her position among the elite in women's tennis. However, the latter half of 2022 and particularly 2023 saw the onset of recurring injuries, primarily a chronic back issue, which severely hampered her performance and led to a significant drop in her ranking, falling out of the top 65.
The 2024 season marked a remarkable resurgence for Badosa. Despite having dropped out of the top 100 in April 2024, she fought her way back, winning her fourth WTA title in Washington D.C. and reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open. Her resilience was recognized when she was named the WTA Comeback Player of the Year. This period also saw a high-profile relationship with fellow tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas, which experienced a brief split and reunion in May 2024.
Badosa carried her momentum into 2025, achieving her best Grand Slam result by reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, which saw her return to the top 10. However, her persistent back injury resurfaced, forcing her to withdraw from several tournaments, including Madrid and Rome, and ultimately ending her 2025 season prematurely in September after retiring from the China Open. Her relationship with Tsitsipas also concluded for good in July 2025, with Badosa publicly confirming her 'single' status in November 2025.
Heading into 2026, Badosa expressed optimism about her health and a full comeback, having undertaken a rigorous preseason. Despite this, her injury struggles continued. She participated in the Australian Open in January 2026, winning her first-round match but acknowledging the ongoing challenge of her back injury. In February 2026, she withdrew from the WTA Merida tournament due to a left thigh injury and was set to drop out of the top 100 once more. In March 2026, she suffered an early exit at Indian Wells but then competed in the WTA 125 tournament in Austin, reaching the semifinals. As of March 19, 2026, Paula Badosa is scheduled to debut at the Miami Open, continuing her determined effort to overcome injuries and return to the top tier of professional tennis.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Paula Badosa Gibert made different choices?