Behind every champion, there’s always a strong support system. For Paula Badosa, her biggest cheerleader is none other than her younger sister, Jana. The Spaniard has often opened up about how important her family is, and it’s clear that the bond she shares with Jana is extra special. Fans have spotted Jana cheering her elder sister from the stands, and Badosa herself once said she had taken on the role of her “second mom.” Now, she’s showing her protective side for her!
Jana Badosa has played only one match so far in her tennis career. It was in May last year at the W60 Naples, FL Tournament where she lost to USA’s Anna Rogers in the R32 by 3-6,1-6. The Spaniard once said, “She’s the most important person in my life. So I would, she knows that I would do anything for her, and I just want her to have an opportunity to do whatever she wants or her dream.” Badosa believes she had the opportunity to fulfill her dreams, now she wants her sister to experience the same.
Keeping the sister vibes strong, Paula is now stepping up to show her protective side. Recently, she shared an adorable picture with Jana on Instagram. But it was the caption that stole the show. Badosa wrote, “She’s my sister — mess with her, and you meet me. 🩷”
Life on the tennis tour, however, often keeps Paula away from her family. Speaking on the Tennis Insider Podcast hosted by Caroline Garcia and her fiancé Borja Duran in February, the Spaniard opened up about the challenges of being away from home. She said, “I got used to it (the extensive tennis schedule), but of course, at the beginning of the year, you’re a little bit more excited, but it’s tiring. It’s really tiring, and it gets very intense, and sometimes I miss being home for a while. So, it’s tough. And for me, my people are very important also. So to leave them, I have a little sister that I’m really connected to. So not seeing her (Jana) much or not seeing her grow, it’s tough sometimes.”
Right now, Paula Badosa is spending more time off the court, but not by choice.
Paula Badosa withdraws from the Madrid Open due to injury
A persistent lower back injury forced the Spaniard to withdraw from the Madrid Open, disappointing fans who were eager to see her play at home. She had been scheduled to face Veronika Kudermetova in the second round before she had to pull out.
The injury is a frustrating setback after what had been a promising comeback year. Paula Badosa, a former world No. 2, returned strongly in 2024 after a stress fracture nearly ended her career. The 28-year-old captured the WTA 500 title in Washington, D.C., and reached the US Open quarterfinals later in the year. Earlier in January, she scored a huge win over Coco Gauff to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, which helped her climb back into the Top 10.
But the back issues resurfaced in February during her quarterfinal match in Merida, ruling her out of Indian Wells. Although she picked up a couple of wins at the Miami Open, she had to pull out before her fourth-round match against Alexandra Eala, again citing the back problem.
The World No.9 is now eyeing a return at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. If she is fit to play, it will be her first match on clay this season. She will also look to improve on her fourth-round showing at the tournament last year. Paula Badosa may be fighting battles on the court and off it, but her fierce love for her sister keeps her grounded. Will her next chapter in Rome mark the start of a stronger comeback?
The post ‘Mess With Her and You Meet Me’ – Paula Badosa Sends Powerful Message as She Stands Guard Over Sister Jana appeared first on EssentiallySports.
