Most fans know Paula Badosa as a Spanish tennis star. Few know she was actually born in Manhattan, once dreamed of being a model, and spent years battling her way back from being told her chronic back injury might end her career early. Paula Badosa’s rise to World No. 2 wasn’t a straight line. It was a fight through setbacks most players never have to face, told almost entirely in her own words. Here’s the story behind the headlines, with some of her best photos along the way.
Paula Badosa
Born in Manhattan, Raised in Catalonia
Paula Badosa was actually born in Manhattan, New York, to Spanish parents who both worked in fashion. When she was seven, the family moved back to Barcelona, and that’s where her tennis story really began. Most fans have no idea their favourite Spanish star started life in the heart of New York City.
The Girl Tipped to Be “The Next Sharapova”
Badosa was labelled “the next Maria Sharapova” early in her career because of her height and playing style. She backed it up by winning the 2015 French Open junior singles title, reaching as high as junior world No. 8. The comparisons felt natural at the time. They also came with a weight she wasn’t ready for.
The Pressure That Nearly Ended Her Career Before It Started
She has said she struggled with depression and anxiety for two to three years early in her career, unable to handle the pressure of being tipped as the future of the sport. She wasn’t advancing in the rankings, was losing matches regularly, and struggled even to do normal things like go out with friends. It’s a side of her story that rarely makes the highlight reels.
Wanted to Be a Model, Followed Her Parents’ Path First
As a child, Badosa aspired to be a model, following in the footsteps of her parents, who both worked in fashion. Tennis took over instead, and the rest is history. Still, it’s easy to see why modelling once felt like the obvious path for her.
From the Tennis Wilderness to World No. 2
After seeking professional help for her mental health, she began to find her best form again, eventually climbing to a career high ranking of World No. 2 in 2022. A genuinely remarkable turnaround for someone who once didn’t want to step on a tennis court at all.
Her First Big Title, at Indian Wells
In 2021, Badosa won her first WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final. It was the moment that turned years of struggle into proof that she belonged at the very top of the sport.
Heatstroke at the Tokyo Olympics
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Badosa retired from her quarterfinal against eventual silver medallist Markéta Vondroušová due to heatstroke, needing to leave the court in a wheelchair. The incident, along with complaints from other players, led Olympic officials to push back match start times to avoid the worst midday heat. Her toughest day on court ended up changing the rules for everyone after her.
A Career First Grand Slam Semifinal, Finally
In 2025, Badosa reached her first ever Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, losing to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, which sent her back into the Top 10 for the first time since October 2022. A milestone that took over a decade of professional tennis to reach.
A Chronic Back Injury, With No Guarantees
Badosa was told her back injury is chronic, with no guarantees about how long her career can continue. She’s said she knows she’ll likely retire young and go straight into surgery the next day. A brutal reality she’s chosen to speak about with total honesty rather than hide from her fans.
Comeback Player of the Year, 2024
She was voted 2024 WTA Comeback Player of the Year after finishing the season at No. 12, having ended the previous year ranked just No. 66. Few players fall that far and climb straight back. She did it in a single season.
Tsitsidosa: Tennis’ Most Talked-About Couple
Badosa began dating fellow tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas in May 2023. Fans nicknamed the pairing “Tsitsidosa,” and the couple quickly became one of the most talked about relationships on tour. They even played mixed doubles together at the 2024 US Open.
Calling the Relationship “Toxic,” On the Record
Following her major victory at the 2026 Berlin Open, Badosa spoke unusually openly during her post-match press conference, calling her past relationship with Tsitsipas “toxic.” She revealed that the complications surrounding the split heavily affected her on-court peace of mind, but added that she has finally cleared those negative spaces and feels strong again as a woman. It is rare honesty from an elite athlete on the tour.
A Mental Health Break, Right Now
In 2026, Badosa announced she was taking an indefinite break from tennis activities, saying she was “battling my own mind.” The decision came after a difficult run of results and ongoing physical setbacks. It’s an active, ongoing chapter in her story, not a closed one, and it deserves to be treated with real respect.
A Voice for Athletes’ Mental Health
Badosa featured prominently in Netflix’s Break Point docuseries, opening up about her depression during the toughest years of her career. She’s said normalizing mental health support in sport matters deeply to her, comparing therapy to physical training: athletes go to the gym for their bodies, so why not see a psychologist for their minds.