Paula Badosa Laughs Off Ex-Boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas' 'Tennis Girlfriend' Warning

The former couple's relationship was 'complicated' according to Tsitsipas' mother.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:04am

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Tennis stars Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who were once a high-profile couple on the tour, have had a complicated history. After their split, Tsitsipas recently warned against dating fellow tennis players, prompting a lighthearted response from Badosa. The two dated on and off from 2023 to 2025, with Tsitsipas' mother citing the relationship as a distraction that took an emotional toll on the Greek player.

Why it matters

The relationship between Badosa and Tsitsipas was closely followed by fans, and their split and subsequent comments shed light on the unique challenges that come with dating a fellow professional athlete in the same sport. This story highlights the complexities of inter-tour romances and the potential impact they can have on a player's career and mental well-being.

The details

Stefanos Tsitsipas recently made comments during the Ultimate Tennis Showdown event, warning against dating fellow tennis players. He said, 'Non-tennis girlfriend. Trust me. Even if you don't want to admit there's competitiveness, there's always competitiveness.' Badosa, Tsitsipas' ex-girlfriend, responded with a string of laughing emojis. The two dated on and off from 2023 to 2025, with Tsitsipas' mother, Julia, providing insight into their 'complicated' relationship. She suggested that the breakup took a significant emotional toll on Tsitsipas and that Badosa had distracted him from tennis.

  • Badosa and Tsitsipas began their relationship around the 2023 French Open.
  • The couple announced their initial split in May 2024.
  • The pair reunited just weeks later in Paris ahead of Roland Garros in 2024.
  • The reunion ultimately fizzled out by July 2025.

The players

Paula Badosa

A professional tennis player from Spain.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

A professional tennis player from Greece and former world No. 3.

Julia Tsitsipas

The mother of Stefanos Tsitsipas and a former professional tennis player.

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What they’re saying

“Non-tennis girlfriend. Trust me. Even if you don't want to admit there's competitiveness, there's always competitiveness.”

— Stefanos Tsitsipas

“Their relationship was complicated from beginning to end. On the one hand, she distracted him from tennis, and on the other hand, the breakup hit him hard. I was a professional tennis player and I thought that tennis players should not react so emotionally. Their relationship was not ordinary, everyday. They were in a long distance relationship.”

— Julia Tsitsipas, Stefanos Tsitsipas' mother

What’s next

Stefanos Tsitsipas will kick off his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters against Francisco Cerúndolo. Paula Badosa was most recently in action at the Charleston Open, where she reached the third round before losing to Anna Kalinskaya.

The takeaway

This story highlights the unique challenges that can arise when professional athletes in the same sport date each other, including the potential for distraction, emotional turmoil, and the impact on their respective careers. It serves as a cautionary tale for other athletes considering inter-tour romances.