Paula Badosa’s victory over the weekend was especially significant as it marked her first title since recovering from a serious back injury.
The Spaniard secured her fourth career WTA singles title with a hard-fought 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 win against Marie Bouzkova in the rain-delayed final of the Mubadala Citi DC Open. This victory is particularly notable as it comes less than a year after doctors had warned her that she might never return to professional tennis due to a severe back injury that plagued her 2023 season and caused her to drop out of the Top 100.
Badosa’s win in Washington, D.C. is her first since a title in Sydney, Australia, in 2022. During the tournament, she also defeated notable opponents like Sofia Kenin, Emma Raducanu, and former champion Liudmila Samsonova, making her triumph even more impressive.
Her achievement caught the attention of fellow players and tennis fans alike, despite a busy weekend of tennis that included historic wins by Novak Djokovic and Zheng Qinwen.
Her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas, joined in the celebration on Instagram, calling her a “badass,” while other WTA players, including Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur, congratulated her on her win. Jabeur, who has a close friendship with Badosa, wrote, “Bravo, chica. Happy for you!”
Earlier in the week, Paula Badosa discussed with the WTA’s Greg Garber her difficult decision to skip the Paris Olympics, a choice that has proven beneficial: Her win in Washington, D.C. has propelled her back into the Top 50 of the WTA rankings for the first time in nearly a year.
“One year ago, I was on the couch,” Badosa said after her match. “Now, I’m back as an athlete, and it feels like a huge difference.”
Her decision to miss the Olympics was primarily driven by health concerns but also reflects the resilience and self-belief Badosa has demonstrated throughout her challenging year. Along with her determination, Badosa credited her family and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who she briefly split with in May before reconciling before Roland Garros, as crucial sources of support.
After celebrating her victory, Badosa shared a heartfelt FaceTime call with her family and Tsitsipas from the court. She expressed gratitude for their constant support during her tough times, saying, “They have been with me through the difficult moments and have seen me at my lowest over the past year. I wanted to share this victory with them because they have been there for me every day.”
Badosa also took a moment to kiss the Rock Creek Park court and emotionally embrace her support team, acknowledging their role in her comeback.
