Tennis Star Paula Badosa Battles Retirement Thoughts 'Every Day'

Chronic injuries have the former World No. 2 considering hanging up her racket, but her passion for the sport keeps her going.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:18am

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Tennis star Paula Badosa has been open about her ongoing battle with chronic injuries, revealing that she thinks about retiring "every day." The former World No. 2 has struggled with back and hip issues that have hampered her results in recent years, leading to multiple early exits and withdrawals from tournaments. However, Badosa says her deep love and passion for the sport is what keeps her going, despite the daily thoughts of putting down her racket for good.

Why it matters

Badosa's candid comments about her retirement considerations highlight the immense physical and mental toll that elite-level tennis can take on players. As one of the sport's biggest stars, her struggles underscore the challenges faced by top athletes dealing with persistent injuries. Badosa's story also resonates with fans who can empathize with the difficult decision of whether to continue pursuing a passion in the face of persistent setbacks.

The details

Badosa burst onto the scene in 2021, winning the prestigious Indian Wells title and reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 2. However, a stress fracture in her back in 2023 began a string of injury issues that have plagued her ever since. She's suffered from ongoing back and hip problems, leading to multiple early exits and withdrawals from tournaments. After a first-round loss at Wimbledon in 2025, Badosa took an extended break before returning to action in September. In a recent interview, the Spaniard revealed that she thinks about retiring "every day" due to her physical struggles, but her deep love for tennis keeps her going.

  • In 2023, Badosa suffered a stress fracture in her L4 vertebra, forcing her to end her season early after Wimbledon.
  • At the 2025 Merida Open quarterfinal, Badosa retired mid-match against Daria Saville due to a hip injury and withdrew from several other tournaments.
  • After a first-round exit at Wimbledon in 2025, Badosa took a long break away from the tennis courts, returning only for the China Open in September before ending her season.

The players

Paula Badosa

A Spanish professional tennis player who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in 2022 and won the 2021 Indian Wells Open.

Daria Saville

An Australian professional tennis player who defeated Badosa in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Merida Open.

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What they’re saying

“Every day, I'm thinking about it, but then there's something that's even stronger and more powerful: That I still have faith, and I still believe in myself.”

— Paula Badosa, Tennis Player

“I have it deep down, and I love the sport too much. I have so much passion for the sport, and I notice it every time I step on a court to compete.”

— Paula Badosa, Tennis Player

What’s next

Badosa is set to compete at the Charleston Open, where she reached the semifinals in 2021. She will face American Kayla Day in the first match on March 31 and will look to regain her championship form to kick off the clay season.

The takeaway

Badosa's openness about her daily retirement considerations highlights the immense physical and mental toll that elite-level tennis can take on players. Her story resonates with fans who can empathize with the difficult decision of whether to continue pursuing a passion in the face of persistent setbacks, underscoring the resilience and dedication required to compete at the highest levels of the sport.