Paula Badosa, the Spanish tennis player ranked No. 10 in the WTA, withdrew from the quarterfinals of the Berlin WTA 500 tournament on Thursday, June 19, 2025, due to physical issues. After losing the first set 6-1 to China’s Xinyu Wang in just 20 minutes, the Catalan player requested medical attention and retired early in the second set, unable to continue. This marks Badosa’s sixth withdrawal of the 2025 season, raising serious concerns about her fitness, especially with Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, set to begin in less than two weeks. The injury, likely linked to her chronic back pain, jeopardles uncertainty about her participation in London. Badosa, who had shown promise with strong wins in Berlin, now faces a pivotal moment in a career plagued by recurring injuries.
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for Badosa. She reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in January, reclaiming a top-10 ranking, but injuries forced her to pull out of key tournaments like Mérida, Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and Rome. This latest setback in Berlin amplifies questions about her ability to maintain consistent high-level performance.
- Key moments from the Berlin match:
- Lost the first set 6-1 in 20 minutes.
- Requested medical attention between sets.
- Retired after three points in the second set.
- Visibly frustrated, struck her racket against the ground.
The Berlin tournament was a critical step in Badosa’s grass-court preparation, and her early exit heightens the pressure on her physical and mental recovery.
Paula Badosa’s injury history
Injuries have been a persistent challenge for Paula Badosa. Since 2023, she has battled chronic lower back pain stemming from a stress fracture in her L4 vertebra. The condition, which is not surgically treatable, requires ongoing management with cortisone injections. In 2024, Badosa dropped to No. 140 in the rankings after extended absences from the court.
This year, Badosa aimed to reclaim her top form. Her Australian Open semifinal run, where she fell to Aryna Sabalenka, was a high point. However, her season has been marred by withdrawals. She abandoned the quarterfinals in Mérida, exited early in Indian Wells, withdrew before the round of 16 in Miami, and skipped Madrid and Rome entirely. The Berlin withdrawal suggests her back injury remains a significant hurdle.
Details of the Berlin withdrawal
The match against Xinyu Wang, ranked No. 48, started poorly for Badosa. Wang, a qualifier who had already upset Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff, dominated the first set with aggressive play. Badosa, visibly uncomfortable, struggled with unforced errors and lacked rhythm. Between sets, she consulted a WTA doctor but received no physical treatment. After attempting the first few points of the second set, she retired, slamming her racket against the ground four times in frustration before leaving the court.
- Match facts:
- Total duration: 28 minutes.
- Final score: 6-1, 0-1 (retirement).
- Wang advanced to the semifinals, facing Amanda Anisimova or Liudmila Samsonova.
- Badosa had defeated Lys and Navarro in prior rounds.
Badosa’s visible frustration underscores the emotional toll of yet another interruption in her season, particularly as she was building momentum for Wimbledon.
Wimbledon preparation in jeopardy
Wimbledon, scheduled to start on June 30, 2025, is the next major event on the tennis calendar. For Badosa, it offers a chance to solidify her comeback, but her participation is now uncertain. She has shown potential on grass, reaching the fourth round in 2024, but the surface’s demand for quick, intense movements could exacerbate her back injury.
Badosa’s team has not yet released an official medical report, but she is expected to undergo tests in the coming hours to assess the injury’s severity. Her ability to train pain-free will determine whether she competes in London. If she opts out, she may prioritize recovery for the hard-court season, including the US Open in August.
Fan and expert reactions
Badosa’s withdrawal from Berlin sparked widespread reaction on social media. Fans expressed support but voiced concern over her frequent injuries. A user, @la_antorchita, noted the uncertainty surrounding her future, while @ArmadaFemenina wished her a speedy recovery. Analysts emphasize that managing her physical condition is critical to preserving her career longevity.
Badosa, known for her resilience, has faced tough moments before. In 2024, she contemplated retirement due to persistent pain but persevered out of love for the sport. Her determination is clear, but repeated withdrawals raise questions about her long-term sustainability at the elite level.
Badosa’s 2025 season overview
The 2025 season began with promise for Badosa. After a turbulent 2024, she stunned the Australian Open by defeating players like Kristina Mladenovic and Iga Świątek before losing to Sabalenka. The result propelled her back into the top 10, reviving hopes of recapturing her 2022 No. 2 ranking. Her WTA 500 title in Washington in August 2024, her fourth career title, was another highlight.
However, consistency eluded her. Beyond her withdrawals, Badosa had mixed results elsewhere. At Roland Garros, she beat Naomi Osaka in the first round but fell to Daria Kasatkina in the third. Her grass-court preparation in Berlin started strongly with wins over Eva Lys and Emma Navarro, but the injury halted her progress.
Physical and mental challenges
Badosa’s injuries impact more than her physical game—they take a mental toll. She has openly discussed the “mental pain” of uncertainty about her condition, compounded by past struggles with depression and anxiety. Despite these challenges, her drive to win a Grand Slam keeps her motivated.
- Factors worsening the injury:
- Repetitive tennis motions, such as serves and groundstrokes.
- Grass courts, which demand greater physical exertion.
- Lack of a viable surgical solution for the stress fracture.
- Reliance on frequent cortisone injections for pain relief.
Badosa works closely with physiotherapists and doctors to manage her condition, but its chronic nature requires constant vigilance.
Xinyu Wang’s rise in Berlin
Xinyu Wang, Badosa’s opponent, is enjoying a breakout moment. The 23-year-old Chinese player, who also defeated Coco Gauff in Berlin, showcased consistency and capitalized on Badosa’s struggles. With Badosa’s retirement, Wang reached the semifinals, bolstering her case for a top-40 ranking. She previously beat Badosa in Ningbo in 2024, adding confidence to her grass-court campaign.
Badosa’s grass-court history
The grass-court season is brief but pivotal. Badosa has a solid record on the surface, notably reaching Wimbledon’s fourth round in 2024, where she lost to Donna Vekić. In 2022, she made the round of 16, falling to Simona Halep. Injuries sidelined her for the 2023 grass season. Her Berlin wins showed grass-court adaptability, but her injury underscores the physical demands of the surface.
- Badosa’s grass-court results:
- 2024: Fourth round at Wimbledon, lost to Donna Vekić.
- 2023: Missed the grass season due to injury.
- 2022: Round of 16 at Wimbledon, defeated by Simona Halep.
Next steps for Badosa
The coming hours are crucial for Badosa. She is expected to undergo medical evaluations to gauge the extent of her Berlin injury. Her coach, Pol Toledo, and medical team will decide if she can prepare for Wimbledon or if rest is necessary. An announcement is anticipated soon, with her health as the top priority.
Badosa’s history of comebacks suggests she won’t give up easily. Her ability to overcome adversity has defined her career, and fans are hopeful for positive updates as she navigates this latest challenge.