MADRID — The annual Laureus World Sports Awards, a prestigious event rivaling the Olympics for athlete star power, took place in Madrid on Monday. Novak Djokovic presented the World Sportsman of the Year award to Mondo Duplantis, the celebrated Swedish pole vaulter.
Tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz also attended, alongside Paula Badosa and her partner Stefanos Tsitsipas. The couple, dressed elegantly in white, captured attention and quickly became a social media sensation. This marked their first public gala appearance together, and they expressed their excitement to be present.
On Tuesday, Badosa, currently ranked No. 9 in the PIF WTA Rankings and a prominent Spanish contender, addressed the media at the Mutua Madrid Open. While she enjoyed the glamour of the red carpet, she acknowledged the significant physical demands of professional tennis, particularly on clay courts.
During her media engagements, the central question remained Badosa`s back injury, a persistent issue for nearly two years.
“My back is improving, gradually,” she stated. “This injury has been challenging, unlike my previous one. It affected my nerves, causing constant pain.”
“My daily life was severely impacted; I could barely get off the couch.”
No Spanish woman has surpassed Badosa’s 2021 semifinal achievement in Madrid. However, her recent three-year record at the tournament is 3-3, indicating less success.
Three years prior, Badosa reached her career-high ranking of No. 2. In 2023, a back injury sidelined her for the final five months of the season. Her performance improved in 2024, with a win at the Mubadala Citi D.C. Open, semifinal appearances in Cincinnati and Beijing, and a quarterfinal at the US Open.
She concluded the season near the Top 10, and a semifinal run at the Australian Open this year brought her back into the elite group. Since then, she has faced setbacks. Badosa withdrew from her second match in Merida, Mexico, skipped Indian Wells, and conceded a walkover in Miami due to her back.
Just weeks ago, Badosa reported experiencing intense pain even when resting.
“Fortunately, the treatments and injections I received have been effective,” Badosa shared. “I am slowly recovering.”
The No. 9 seed confirmed her participation in her first Madrid match on Friday. She hopes to be in peak condition to endure the six matches required to win the tournament. Following a bye, her second-round opponent will be either Veronika Kudermetova or her sister Polina.
When asked about her fitness level, estimating 50 percent or 75 percent, Badosa responded,
“I’m unsure. I’m improving gradually, day by day. Hopefully, I will reach 100 percent soon, though not immediately.”
