Imagine finding not just a partner, but a fellow champion, someone who understands the unique pressures and triumphs of your world. That’s the dynamic Paula Badosa described when speaking about her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas: “I think it’s special to have somebody that also has been so good and he is so good on what he does.” They, affectionately dubbed “Tsitsidosa,” even teamed up to win a $250,000 prize at the US Open’s Mixed Madness doubles exhibition. Now, they each focus on their individual singles campaigns. Just before Badosa stepped onto the court, Tsitsipas couldn’t resist a cheeky tease.
Ahead of her R64 clash against Victoria Mboko and after a significant break due to an ongoing physical issue, the Spaniard posted behind-the-scenes glimpses of her training camp in the South Side. Badosa sustained an abrupt lower back injury during her Indian Wells Masters campaign but, she’s now ready to resume her 2025 season. Showcasing her on and off-court preparations in Miami, the Spanish talent took to Instagram to upload a video where she was seen practising with Tunisian Ons Jabeur and even shared a warm embrace with her beau.
“Behind the scenes at @miamiopen ,” she captioned the video. Subsequently, her boyfriend was quick to express his love for the former World No. 2 and dropped a three-word comment on her post. “Stop goofing around ,” he wrote.
“The first idea of [our relationship] happened here,” Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed to 9honey with a smile spreading across his face as he returned to Melbourne for the 2025 Australian Open. But his thoughts weren’t on the tennis courts; they were on a moment five years prior, in Australia, when he first laid eyes on his girlfriend, Spanish tennis pro Paula Badosa.
“I remember where I was staying, where I was watching TV, her match, and it brings back good memories,” he reminisced fondly. “In a way time flies when I think about it and it feels like yesterday.” For the world No. 11 “it was [love at first sight]”. Something he explains he just “can’t deny”. “I love everything about her. The way she plays, the way she carries herself on the court, her personality. Everything was perfect. She was the perfect woman to have by my side.”
Only a few days after, Badosa reciprocated with her own insights in an exclusive interview with Stan Sport’s Duncan McKenzie-McHarg. “He always supports me so much and he’s always there for me,” Badosa said. “We always talk about how I’m feeling, how is he feeling, we give advice to each other. I think it’s special to have somebody that also has been so good and he is so good on what he does.”
For those unaware, the Greek sensation hasn’t enjoyed much luck on the tour recently. Apart from claiming a title finish in Dubai, a string of underwhelming results have marred his run on the tour, with records of such display tracing back to his controversial split with his father as a coach in 2024.
As for Badosa, the Spaniard stunned the community after registering a strong comeback at the Australian Open earlier this year. She stunned World No. 3 Coco Gauff to secure a spot in the last eight and concluded her Melbourne as a semifinalist. Having restored her potential following recovery from a stress fracture in her back, the 27-year-old later addressed the crowd, saying: “I have been through a lot. In the past, I was one of the best players in the world, but now I am a better player, more matured. I manage my emotions little better.”
Not so long ago- precisely eight months before her impressive run down under – Badosa claimed she “was close to retirement.” Begging the question, what changed? And how did she manage to come back from a point of no return?
Paula Badosa said “faith in myself” helped her reignite her passion for tennis
Spanish superstar Paula Badosa contemplated retirement after sustaining a career-threatening back injury at the Italian Open in May 2023. She was sidelined for the months that followed and when she returned in 2024, the former World No. 2 was taking cortisone shots just to get on court. The pain was unbearable, and the doctors told her that continuing a professional run would be “complicated.” However, she did not throw in the towel.
With a deep desire to get back to the fold and a little push from her team, Badosa returned to the winners’ circle almost two and half years later after lifting the Citi Open title last year. Her AO run helped her reenter the top 10 in rankings and later, she talked about her poignant journey during an interview with the National during the Middle East swing. “What kept me going is that I always had that faith in myself of keep believing, like just give it one more try, one more try,” she said.
“And I think also what kept me going was the passion I have for tennis. I love it.” She added, “I’m a person who always wants more, it’s never enough. So I think that’s the balance we’re trying to find, to enjoy the little things day by day.”
For now, Badosa will stick to schedule and hope to lift her first title for the season at the Miami Masters. The tenth seed is slated to lock horns with Victoria Mboko in the Round of 64 on Friday, March 21.
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