Paula Badosa has spent more time off the court this season due to her back injury. She has not played a match since July and last won at Wimbledon. It has been a tough year for Badosa, but she has been spending quality time with her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas. She has been accused of slowing down the career of Tsitsipas whenever he is struggling on the tour.
Badosa has opened up about how she and Tsitsipas help each other progress on the tour. She has been working on her recovery and following his matches. Baodsa said, “I can understand that we are public figures and that we are exposed, but in the end, we are two 25-year-old children.” The Spaniard said the accusations hurt her because she wanted the best for Tsitsipas.
Paula Badosa ha tenido que aguantar que le digan que está perjudicando el rendimiento de Tsitsipas. Le pregunta @AlejandroCiriza y esta es su respuesta. pic.twitter.com/mQ2eEpgQVn
— Sergio V. Jodar (@Sergiovazquez14) November 7, 2023
The couple have been seen together since the second half of the tour. The Greek player will be seen next week at the Nitto ATP Finals. Meanwhile, Badosa is expected to return to tour for the ongoing Billie Jean King Cup. The players have reached the final phase of the tour this season.
Paula Badosa speaks out against the WTA tour schedule
The WTA tour has been called out multiple times this year for inefficiency. The WTA Finals at Cancun was the latest example of how players suffered on the tour. Badosa has played 27 matches in singles and five doubles matches. She has been taking her time to recover from the spinal injury. The WTA tour has witnessed injuries and retirements in recent times.
Badosa has spoken against the mismanagement of the WTA tour schedule. Players are not getting sufficient rest on the tour, which goes on for almost 11 months a year. Injuries have forced players to retire, and the media focus has made life on tour stressful. Ashleigh Barty had retired from the sport at 25, and Naomi Osaka had taken mental breaks in the early stages of her career.
While new events are being added to the tour, there have to be off-tour facilities for players to relax. Badosa also spoke about Garbine Muguruza taking an indefinite break from the sport. The 25-year-old is preparing herself for the long journey on the tour. Badosa knows what to expect from the tour and hopes to improve her game in the 2024 season.