Tennis

Paula Badosa's remarkable resurgence has been a testament to her resilience and unwavering determination. After a career-threatening injury sidelined her for nearly a year, the Spanish star has returned with a vengeance, soaring up the WTA rankings and reclaiming her place among the elite.Badosa's meteoric rise began in 2021, when she ascended from No. 80 to No. 2 in just 12 months. However, a persistent back injury halted her progress in 2023, forcing her to withdraw from three of the four Grand Slams. Despite the setbacks, Badosa refused to give up.With the support of her coach, Pol Toledo Bagué, Badosa set a goal of being seeded at the 2024 Australian Open. Just one month and a half later, she had already climbed to No. 30 in the world, surpassing their expectations.Badosa's physical recovery has been equally impressive. Once known for her endurance in long matches, she has adapted to the faster conditions and lighter tennis balls, using them to her advantage. She credits her mental strength and positive affirmations for her ability to overcome adversity.Off the court, Badosa has also found solace in her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas. After a brief separation, the couple reunited and have been supporting each other through their respective challenges.As Badosa prepares for the US Open, she is eager to make a statement in the city where she spent her early years. Despite the challenges she has faced, she is confident in her abilities and determined to prove that she is back to her best.

Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas Triumph in Inaugural Mixed Madness Event at US Open Fan WeekThe 2024 US Open Fan Week kicked off with a bang as Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas emerged victorious in the inaugural Mixed Madness event. The tournament, held on Tuesday, featured a star-studded field of teams competing for a $250,000 prize.Badosa and Tsitsipas, who have been in a whirlwind romance, reunited on the court for the first time since their brief breakup earlier this year. The duo showcased their chemistry and skill, defeating Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton in the semifinals and Amanda Anisimova and Taylor Fritz in the final.Badosa, who recently reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open, took to social media to celebrate their victory, calling it the "best date night ever." The four-team mixed doubles event also featured appearances from tennis legends Billie Jean King and Andre Agassi, adding to the star power of the occasion.The Mixed Madness event proved to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the excitement and camaraderie of the tennis community. Badosa and Tsitsipas' triumph marked a memorable moment in the lead-up to the US Open, which is set to begin on Monday.

US Open Women's Draw: Tracy Austin Predicts an Open FieldAs the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, approaches, tennis legend Tracy Austin believes the women's draw is wide open for the taking."The women's draw is unpredictable," Austin said in a recent interview. "There are several players who have been playing well this summer and could make a deep run."One player Austin is keeping an eye on is Paula Badosa, the former world No. 2. "She's playing so well right now," Austin said. "I think she's definitely in the mix."Another player to watch is Amanda Anisimova, who has worked her way back into the Top 40 after taking time off the tour. "She's beaten some top players recently," Austin said. "She's got a big serve and powerful groundstrokes. She's someone no one wants to see in their draw."American Danielle Collins, who has never been past the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, is also a contender, according to Austin. "She's the type of player who can use this moment," Austin said. "She's riding on emotion right now. If she can get a couple of matches under her belt and get the crowd behind her, she could go deep."When it comes to overall predictions, Austin has her eyes on Aryna Sabalenka. "She's a big hitter with a lot of power," Austin said. "She's capable of winning a Grand Slam."

Jessica Pegula, the reigning champion of the Canadian Open, is on the cusp of achieving a remarkable feat by capturing the Cincinnati Open title as well. In a thrilling semifinal clash on Sunday, Pegula overcame a spirited challenge from Washington, D.C. champion Paula Badosa, prevailing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.Pegula's victory sets up a tantalizing final against world No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka, who dispatched top-ranked Iga Swiatek in the other semifinal. If Pegula can triumph over Sabalenka, she will become the first player to win both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open in the same year since Serena Williams in 2013.The match against Badosa was a tale of two halves. Pegula dominated the opening set, racing to a 4-0 lead as Badosa struggled to find her rhythm. However, Badosa rallied in the second set, upping her aggression and hitting more targets to level the match.The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks. Pegula's resilience shone through as she fended off four break points in a crucial game at 3-4. She then seized the initiative, breaking Badosa's serve and holding her own to secure the victory.Pegula's performance was characterized by her consistent groundstrokes and ability to absorb pressure. She also displayed impressive mental fortitude, particularly in the third set when she faced adversity.Badosa, despite her valiant effort, was hampered by unforced errors and double faults. She also appeared to be affected by the rain delay, which interrupted the match at a crucial juncture.The Cincinnati Open final promises to be a captivating encounter between two in-form players. Pegula will be aiming to complete her title sweep and extend her winning streak to 10 matches. Sabalenka, on the other hand, will be looking to add another major title to her resume and prove that she is a genuine contender for the US Open.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former world No. 3, has overcome a slow start and off-court upheaval to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff at the Cincinnati Open. Tsitsipas, who recently parted ways with his father as his head coach, admitted to being in a "bad place" after losing the first set. However, he rallied to win the next two sets and secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.Tsitsipas's win comes amidst a period of transition in his career. He is now working with childhood friend Dimitris Chatzinikolaou as he weighs more permanent coaching options. Tsitsipas acknowledged the challenges of such changes but emphasized the importance of focusing on his own abilities and finding the right people to support him."The right people adjust and they make it work for you and they make it work around you," Tsitsipas said. "Once you find these people, it's a big relief for your tennis because you're able to communicate in great ways."Tsitsipas also expressed gratitude for the emotional support he has received from his girlfriend, Paula Badosa, a former world No. 2. He clarified that his decision to part ways with his father was his own and not influenced by anyone else."This was entirely my decision, not influenced by anyone else," Tsitsipas said. "It was a difficult one to make, and I didn't actually advise with her, which I guess would have been a normal thing to do when you're in a relationship."Tsitsipas will next face Jack Draper, who holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage over the Greek star. Tsitsipas is hoping to build positive momentum ahead of the 2024 US Open, where he will aim to add to his two Grand Slam runner-up finishes.

Paula Badosa's journey back to the top of women's tennis has been a rollercoaster ride, but the former world No. 2 is finally feeling like she's off the ride. After an 18-month battle with a career-threatening back injury, Badosa is back in the winner's circle and eager to make up for lost time.Badosa's injury woes began in 2022, forcing her to miss three of four major tournaments. She shut down her season last August in hopes of healing her back for good, but doctors prescribed a regimen of cortisone shots that dimmed the prospects of a long career for the then-26-year-old."It really is a rollercoaster, and you wake up every day not knowing what is going to happen," Badosa said. "Emotionally, there have been ups and downs and it's been tough for me lately."But Badosa never gave up hope. She opted out of further back treatments and began to feel like herself again on clay, pushing Coco Gauff to three sets at the Foro Italico and reaching the third round at Roland Garros. She went one round better at Wimbledon for her best Grand Slam finish in two years, teeing her up to hit the ground running on hard courts."I'm an aggressive player, but I need my physical part," Badosa explained. "I think it's very important for me to feel strong, to feel that I can play tough matches, to feel that I can play long rallies also. So, once I felt that, I think it went straight to my mindset, to my mentality, and then when I feel strong in that area, I feel strong mentally, so I start to feel competitive again."Badosa's improved physicality was on display again Wednesday, helping her rally from a break down in the second set to knock out American Peyton Stearns and book a second round against No. 13 seed Anna Kalinskaya."I remember thinking, ‘Oh, shit, you cannot go to a third set because next day you're not going to be able to play because you're not ready for that,’ she recalled of her early-season mindset. “I had that moment [today] in the second set, but I remember thinking, ‘Oh, it's okay. You still have a third one. And it doesn't matter if you go to a battle there, because next day you will feel okay now.’ I saw that, especially in Washington that I had tough matches. So that, for me, makes me relax a bit on the court and I can play more free.”Though her team continues to monitor her back, Badosa hasn't had any cortisone shots since Paris, a welcome relief to the doctors who questioned how much longer she could compete professionally."They were expecting me to be okay, and we didn't find solutions in that moment," said Badosa. "So, for them now it's a normal thing, and before it was they were surprised. For the moment it's positive."Back in range for a seed at the 2024 US Open, Badosa is eager to make up for lost time."You'll have to see me for a few more years now!"

Paula Badosa's triumphant return to the winner's circle at the Mubadala Citi DC Open was a testament to her resilience and unwavering determination. The former world No. 2 captured her fourth career WTA singles title with a hard-fought 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Marie Bouzkova in a rain-delayed final.Badosa's triumph marked a significant milestone in her career, coming less than a year after doctors warned her that she might never play tennis again due to a debilitating back fracture. The injury had curtailed her 2023 season, sent her tumbling out of the Top 100, and left her reliant on cortisone injections to function.Despite the adversity, Badosa refused to give up. She underwent extensive rehabilitation and returned to the court with renewed vigor. Her victory in Washington, D.C., where she defeated two Grand Slam winners (Sofia Kenin and Emma Raducanu) and a former tournament champion (Liudmila Samsonova), was a testament to her unwavering belief in herself.Badosa's triumph was met with widespread praise from her fellow touring pros and rivals. Her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas, hailed her as a "badass" on Instagram, while WTA peers Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur showered her with love."Bravo, chica," wrote Jabeur, who has forged a close friendship with Badosa. "Happy for you!"Badosa's victory also marked a return to the Top 50 in the WTA rankings for the first time in nearly a year. The Spaniard admitted that she was on the couch a year ago, but now she was an athlete again.Badosa's decision to skip the Paris Olympics, driven by health reasons, proved to be a wise one. Her D.C. win has reignited her career and given her the confidence to continue pushing forward.Throughout her struggles, Badosa has been supported by her family and Tsitsipas. She rewarded their loyalty with a post-match FaceTime call courtside, after celebrating her victory by kissing the playing surface and embracing her traveling support team."They've been in the tough moments," she said. "They've seen me very, very down this last year. I wanted to live the moments with them because of course without them I wouldn't be here because they support me every day, 24/7."Badosa's triumph is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, perseverance and self-belief can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Paula Badosa, the former world No. 2, has emerged victorious at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, marking her first triumph since recovering from a six-month injury layoff. The Spaniard defeated Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic in a rain-interrupted final, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.Badosa, who has now claimed four WTA Tour titles, showcased her resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Despite being sidelined for an extended period due to a stress fracture, she returned to the court with renewed vigor. Her victory in Washington is a testament to her hard work and dedication.The match was marred by two rain delays, but Badosa remained focused and composed. She dominated the first set, winning it 6-1, but Bouzkova fought back in the second set, taking it 6-4. In the decisive third set, Badosa displayed her mental fortitude, breaking Bouzkova's serve in the final game to secure the victory.Bouzkova, who was playing in her first WTA 500 final, gave a valiant effort but ultimately fell short. She had previously upset top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, demonstrating her own resilience and potential.Meanwhile, the men's final between Sebastian Korda and Flavio Cobolli was also delayed due to rain. Both players are seeking their maiden ATP Tour title, and Korda has the opportunity to become the first American to win the Washington event since Andy Roddick in 2007.Korda's father, Petr, won the Washington title in 1992, and his sisters Nelly and Jessica are renowned golf stars. The Korda family has a rich history in tennis, and Sebastian is eager to add to their legacy.

Paula Badosa's resurgence at Wimbledon continued with a hard-fought 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Daria Kasatkina in the third round. The former world No. 2 is now into the fourth round at the All England Club for the third time in her career and looks poised to make a deep run.Badosa's victory over Kasatkina was a testament to her resilience and determination. After winning the first set in a tiebreaker, she dropped the second but rallied back to take the third and secure her place in the next round. Badosa's performance was particularly impressive considering she has been battling injuries in recent months.In the fourth round, Badosa will face Donna Vekic, a proven grass-court performer. However, Badosa's current form suggests that she is the favorite in this matchup. Badosa has been hitting the ball with power and precision, and her movement has been excellent.Vekic is a dangerous opponent, but Badosa has the tools to overcome her. Badosa is a more aggressive baseliner and has the ability to hit winners from both sides of the court. She is also a strong returner, which could give her an edge in this match.Overall, Badosa is playing at a high level and is a legitimate contender to reach the latter stages of Wimbledon. Her victory over Kasatkina was a statement of intent, and she will be confident of continuing her run against Vekic.