“It’s the stress fracture” – Badosa confirms injury is the same that ruled her out of Roland-Garros

The Spaniard was returning from a spinal stress fracture that kept her out of the French Open

Image Credit: Imago / Panoramic

July 7, 2023

Paula Badosa has confirmed that the injury that forced her to withdraw from her second round encounter with Marta Kostyuk is a flare-up of the same issue she sustained during the clay-court swing.

The Spaniard was ruled out of Roland-Garros after suffering a spinal stress fracture during the Italian Open, an injury that initially looked to have her side-lined for a couple of months.

After missing the French, however, Badosa made an unexpected return at Wimbledon, appearing to recover ahead of schedule.

After an impressive showing in her first round victory over Alison Riske, during which she was moving well, the 2021 Indian Wells champion had to withdraw from her match against Kotyuk having lost the first set.

“The injury is the same as I have been struggling the past weeks. It’s the stress fracture,” Badosa confirmed in her post-match press conference.

It was clear that Badosa, normally so dynamic on the court, was not feeling 100% physically from the start of her second round match.

The Spaniard confirmed that she had been feeling discomfort in the spinal area since the end of her first round win.

“I tried my best to try to play here, but yesterday when I woke up I already, after my first round match, felt it again. It’s a little bit worse.

“So I will need a few days off and talk to my team and see what I do in the next days and the next weeks.”

"Funny" start of press conference with Badosa.

– Reporter: Congrats for your win.
– Badosa: I lost.
– Reporter: Could you please tell us about your fitness and confidence level?
– Badosa: I just lost. I didn't win.
– Moderator: She didn't win.
– Reporter: Not win?
– BADOSA: No.
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) July 7, 2023

As well as withdrawing from singles, Badosa has also confirmed that she will be out of the mixed doubles competition, which she was due to compete in alongside her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“No, no, I won’t be able,” she said when asked whether she would attempt to compete in the mixed doubles.

“Well, I’m not feeling at my best form. I just retired, so yeah, I wish I could feel better.”

The recurrence of an injury that just kept Badosa out of arguably her favourite slam in Paris will be a bitter pill to swallow.

The focus for Badosa and her team will now be on recovering and being in the best shape possible to compete in the upcoming US hard-court swing that gets underway next month.