MADRID — The Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid showcased a gathering of prominent global athletes, second only to the Olympics. Novak Djokovic presented the World Sportsman of the Year award to Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault champion, at the Monday evening event.
Tennis figures Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Paula Badosa, and her partner Stefanos Tsitsipas were also present. The couple, dressed in white, attracted attention and their photos quickly circulated globally. This marked their first public event as a couple, and they expressed their excitement to be there.
On Tuesday, Paula Badosa, currently ranked No. 9 and Spain`s top female tennis player, spoke to the media at the Mutua Madrid Open. While attending galas is enjoyable, the physical demands of professional tennis, particularly on clay courts, present a different challenge.
The recurring question for Badosa during her media engagements was about the condition of her back, an injury that has troubled her for almost two years.
“My back is improving gradually,” Badosa told wtatennis.com. “This injury has been particularly challenging compared to my previous one because it affected the nerves, causing constant pain.
“My daily life was significantly impacted; I struggled to even get off the couch.”
Despite no Spanish woman surpassing Badosa`s semifinal appearance in Madrid in 2021, her recent record at this tournament is 3-3 over the past three years.
Three years prior, Badosa reached her highest ranking of No. 2. However, in 2023, a back injury forced her to sit out the final five months of the season. Her performance improved in 2024, with a win at the Mubadala Citi D.C. Open, semifinal appearances in Cincinnati and Beijing, and a quarterfinal at the US Open.
She concluded the season close to the Top 10, and a semifinal showing at the Australian Open this year brought her back into that elite group. Since then, she has faced difficulties, retiring from her second match in Merida, Mexico, withdrawing from Indian Wells, and giving a walkover in Miami due to her back.
Badosa mentioned that just weeks ago, she experienced severe pain even when still.
“Fortunately, the recent treatment and injections have been effective,” Badosa stated. “So, I am slowly recovering, yes.”
The ninth-seeded player confirmed her participation in her first match on Friday, hoping to be in good enough condition to endure the six matches required to win the tournament. Following a bye, her second-round opponent will be either Veronika Kudermetova or her sister Polina.
When asked about her fitness level, whether she was at 50 or 75 percent, Badosa responded,
“I’m unsure. I`m improving gradually each day. I hope to reach 100 percent soon, though I`m not there yet.”
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth