Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa is currently competing at the Qatar Open. The tournament marks the first WTA 1000 event on the calendar, and Badosa is playing after surviving an injury scare. There was a hilarious moment during the match involving her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Paula and Stefanos are the ‘It’ couple of the tennis world. They began dating after the French Open in 2023 and have been going strong ever since. Tsitsipas and Badosa practiced together in the days leading up to the tournament. The Greek even surprised her with a bouquet, as Valentine’s Day was approaching.
Paula and Stefanos have been each other’s biggest supporters since they began dating. The Spaniard was spotted in Stefanos’ box at Wimbledon last year. Finally, Tsitsipas returned the favor as he watched her take on Ashlyn Kreuger in Doha. However, Stefanos was so engrossed in her match that he took a tumble after standing up to cheer her on.
Stef fell out of his seat?? Life in the box is harder than it seems 🤣 pic.twitter.com/uWRguE4NfC
— Tsitsidosa Updates (@OnlyTsitsidosa) February 11, 2024
Tsitsipas was sitting next to Paula’s mother and her coach. Badosa looked in good touch as she broke Kreuger three times to take the opening set 6-3. When the scoreboard read 4-3, with Badosa on serve, Stefanos got up to cheer for her. As he was about to take his seat, Tsitsipas missed the chair and landed on the floor.
The cameras caught this hilarious moment in Badosa’s box. Paula’s mother saw the funny side of it as well, as she cracked a smile. Tsitsipas was unperturbed by the whole incident.
Paula Badosa is slowly making her way on the tour after injuries derailed her career in 2023. The Spaniard dispatched Kreuger 3-6, 6-4, 4-6 in her opener at the Qatar Open. She is now set to face Leylah Fernandez in the next round.
Paula Badosa vs. Leylah Fernandez: Match Preview at Qatar Open
Badosa will take on Fernandez in the second round of the Qatar Open. Whoever wins the match will make it to the Round of 16 in Doha.
So far, Badosa and Fernandez have played against each other three times, with Badosa winning all of them. However, their last encounter was almost two years ago, and Leylah has come a long way since. She ousted Liudmila Smasonova comprehensively, defeating her 7-5, 7-6(4) in the first round.
Leylah is locked 🔒@leylahfernandez defeats Samsonova 7-5, 7-6(4) and will face Paula Badosa in the next round. #QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/kuCvSCRPgk
— wta (@WTA) February 12, 2024
Paula Badosa has her work cut out for her, although facing the 2021 US Open runner-up will not be easy. Fernandez looks determined to continue in the vein she has been playing in. The two will face off on February 13.