“We keep fighting. Vamos.”
While Paula Badosa’s time at the Miami Open came to an end Friday, the former world No. 2 appears to be in a better place as she prepares for the European clay-court swing.
Forced to withdraw from Indian Wells earlier this month with another injury setback, Badosa had posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account that “one day I’ll be smiling on a court again. Thanks for the nice messages. And for the negativity also, you make me stronger.”
During the second stop of the Sunshine Double, Badosa valiantly rallied to defeat Simona Halep in the Romanian’s first match back on tour since the 2022 US Open. The 26-year-old then faced bestie Aryna Sabalenka in an emotional second-round contest, as the two-time Australian Open champion took the court for the first time since her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov tragically passed away in Miami at the age of 42 to an apparent suicide.
Though Sabalenka would prevail, 6-4, 6-3, Badosa later took to X to express her gratitude for getting back to the WTA competition ring.
“Three weeks ago, I was in a sofa without knowing when I would be able to play again. After that for the first time I was able to play (for) eight days in a row since almost a year. I’m happy and proud of it,” she declared.
“I know my level is far but the fact that I’m on a court, it’s a win. Step by step.”
A three-time WTA title holder, Badosa heads to the change in surfaces at No. 80 in the rankings. She is scheduled to play the green-clay event in Charleston before making her way across the Atlantic. Last year, Badosa won three matches at the WTA 500 before falling to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.
