MADRID — The Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid gathered global athletes, similar to the Olympics. Novak Djokovic presented the World Sportsman of the Year award to Mondo Duplantis at the event on Monday.
Tennis stars Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Paula Badosa, and Stefanos Tsitsipas also attended. Badosa and Tsitsipas, dressed in white, drew attention and quickly became a popular topic and images worldwide. They enjoyed their first gala together.
On Tuesday, Badosa, currently ranked No. 9, spoke to the media at the Mutua Madrid Open. She discussed the difference between attending events and the physical demands of tennis, especially on clay courts.
Reporters consistently asked Badosa about her back, an injury she has been dealing with for about two years.
“My back is improving,” Badosa told wtatennis.com. “This injury has been challenging and unlike my previous one, affecting my nerves and causing constant pain.
“My daily life was severely impacted; I could hardly move from the couch.”
Badosa reached the semifinals in Madrid in 2021, the best result for a Spanish woman, but her record in the last three years is 3-3.
Three years prior, she reached her highest ranking of No. 2. In 2023, a back injury forced her to end her season five months early. In 2024, her performance improved. She won the Mubadala Citi D.C. Open, reached the Cincinnati semifinals, the US Open quarterfinals, and the Beijing semifinals.
She neared the Top 10 and reached the Australian Open semifinals this year, rejoining the elite group. Since then, it has been difficult. Badosa withdrew from a match in Merida, Mexico, missed Indian Wells, and withdrew from the Miami Round of 16 due to her back.
Badosa mentioned that until recently, she experienced intense pain even when still.
“Fortunately, the treatments and injections have helped,” Badosa said. “I am gradually recovering.”
The No. 9 seed plans to play her first match on Friday, hoping to be fit enough to handle the six matches needed to win the tournament. After a bye, she will face either Veronika or Polina Kudermetova in the second round.
When asked about her fitness level, Badosa replied, “I’m unsure of the percentage. I’m improving daily and hope to reach 100 percent soon, though not immediately.”
Rupert Caldwell