Another painful interruption has struck the career of Paula Badosa. Now 28 and ranked No. 70, the Spaniard’s journey - once defined by mental battles early on - is increasingly being dictated by her body. What was once emotional turmoil has given way to something harsher: recurring physical pain that keeps halting her momentum just when it begins to build.

At the WTA 1000 event in Dubai, played close to her current residence, Badosa walked onto court eager to test herself against Elina Svitolina, a recent Australian Open semifinalist and reigning Auckland champion. She began brilliantly. Badosa surged to a 4–1 lead, striking cleanly and moving freely. But the match suddenly shifted. She lost the next five games in a row, and it wasn’t tactical or mental. It was physical.

Her physiotherapist quickly rushed onto the court. After a short examination of her left thigh and a brief discussion, the reality became clear: she could not continue.

Badosa retired mid-match, visibly emotional and in tears, bringing another abrupt stop to her season.

The retirement carries heavy consequences beyond a single match: Paula Badosa fails to defend her 2025 Round-of-16 result, loses 55 ranking points from 846, and because of this defeat, she may now also slip outside the Top 80. But that’s not all!

It also extends a troubling statistic: 37 career retirements, 8 since January 2024, and if we take a closer look at it, 17% of her career losses came via retirement.

Just a week earlier, she had already withdrawn from the Qatar Open, citing hip discomfort - making the Dubai exit even more concerning. Physical issues continue to be the toughest opponent of her career. Currently, Paula Badosa has a 3-5 win-loss record in 2026!

For Svitolina, the victory came under unfortunate circumstances. The Ukrainian later expressed sympathy for her opponent, acknowledging that no player wants to advance in that manner and wishing Badosa a quick recovery after their short-lived contest.

Elina Svitolina’s reaction to the abrupt ending of her high-voltage clash against Paula Badosa in Dubai

What promised to be one of the most electric second-round clashes in Dubai ended on a somber note. When Paula Badosa was forced to retire mid-match, her opponent, Elina Svitolina, made it clear that there was no celebration in advancing under such circumstances.

“Very sad for Paula. She’s such a great player. I think we showed great tennis in the first set. Of course, very, very upset for her injury. Hopefully she can recover and be ready for the U.S. swing,” Svitolina said after the match.

In this match, the Ukrainian broke twice and rattled off five consecutive games, winning six of the final seven to snatch the opening set. “It was a very tough first set. Never easy to play against Paula. She was playing really well and serving well. I tried to react and stay in that first set and luckily won it,” Svitolina added.

With the win, Svitolina moves into the Round of 16, where she will face Belinda Bencic. The Swiss advanced without stepping onto the court after Sara Bejlek withdrew due to an abdominal injury, making physical setbacks an unfortunate theme of the tournament. But while Svitolina handled the moment with empathy, the online reaction was not as kind.

Soon after the match, one fan took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Badosa, writing that she was “so disrespectful to the game” and suggesting she withdraw from “almost every tournament.”

The comment reached Badosa, and she did not stay silent. “You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going. To wake up every day not knowing how your body will respond, searching for solutions, and fighting for something you love and give everything, even when it’s so difficult.”

Her message struck a deeply personal tone. The Spaniard emphasized that she is the one enduring the pain daily. “Trust me, I’m the first one suffering with pain and having endless nightmares to try to find solutions every single day, and for me, after all, stepping on a tennis court makes it worth everything every time. So I’ll keep trying. Because it’s all about trying, and that won’t change. I’ll always try one more time.”

And then came the fiery finish. “I’m doing this for my passion and for myself. And if there’s even a 1% chance to keep going, I’ll take it. That’s just how I see and understand life. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to follow me. And I’m so sorry to inform you, I won’t retire, so you’ll keep seeing me for a while. Change the channel next time.”

The response perfectly encapsulated the resilience that has defined Paula Badosa’s career. Battling both chronic injuries and public criticism, she continues to step onto the court with unwavering determination. Do you think the Spaniard can make a strong comeback in 2026?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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