Tennis stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa are the ‘It’ couple of the tennis world. Both of them are accomplished players in their own right and have carved a niche on the court. However, as a pair, Tsitsipas‘ and Badosa’s singular dream has eluded them for a long time. It seems that the dream is set to come true finally, and at the World Tennis League, no less.
Stefanos and Paula will finally get a chance to play mixed doubles at the marquee event. The World Tennis League is a non-ATP/WTA-affiliated tournament, and some of the biggest stars will clash for glory at the team event.
Tsitsipas and Badosa will play for the same side, the Kites, and the anticipation around their team-up is high. It is a four-day tournament, starting on December 21st, with the teams playing in a round-robin format. Only the top two teams will qualify for the finals.
Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas will play mixed doubles together for the 1st time at World Tennis League! 🫂
Will the couple be successful also on court? pic.twitter.com/nEHQnG945p
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) December 13, 2023
Tennis fans have waited to watch them play mixed doubles together for a long time. They were set to play together at Wimbledon but had to withdraw due to Badosa’s injury. Back then, Tsitsipas was relieved since he could focus on playing singles.
“Mixed is not a thing anymore, thank God. I prefer to live (smiling). It never crossed my mind that I would be doing all three in a single event,” he said (via Tennis Up To Date).
Now, of course, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa have the perfect opportunity to play together and not be stretched thin. Both players are recovering from injuries, and a four-day tournament where they can play together sounds ideal.
Stefanos Tsitsipas gives injury update
The Greek player had an average year by his standards. His form tapered off towards the end of the season, and he really struggled with injuries too.
Tsitsipas qualified for the year-end Nitto ATP Finals for the fifth year in a row. Unfortunately for him, Stefanos had to withdraw from the tournament due to a back injury.
It was a long season, and the player Stefanos had his ups and downs throughout the year. The Greek player finally opened up about the injury and its effect on his mental health.
“The injury was painful—metaphorically painful—because I wasn’t able to complete the last tournament of the year. For the next few days after the ATP Finals, I was struggling to wake up and get out of bed,” he said.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will return to action very soon, alongside Paula this time. He will also try to turn things around in the new season. Tsitsipas has historically performed well in Australia and will try to continue in that vein this time too.