Paula Badosa responds to tennis fan who labelled her ‘so disrespectful’

Paula Badosa has offered a strong response after her ongoing injury problems resurfaced at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Her ranking dropped after the Australian Open, where she was beaten in the first round by Oksana Selekhmeteva.

Badosa had managed a win in the opening round in Dubai before she was again forced to retire, this time against Elina Svitolina due to another injury.

It’s now three retirements from her last 13 singles matches, and one fan even went as far as calling her ‘disrespectful’ for not pulling out of matches earlier.

Paula Badosa responds to criticism from tennis fan

Badosa pulled out of her match after dropping the first set to Svitolina, and a fan took to social media afterwards to criticise her record of retirements.

The message read: “Paula Badosa is so disrespectful to the game, you just cannot retire/withdraw from every tournament.”

While athletes facing negativity online isn’t new, it’s less common for them to reply directly, especially in the way Badosa did.

Badosa took exception and replied on X (formerly known as Twitter), detailing what it’s been like managing a chronic injury while trying to keep competing.

“You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going,” wrote Badosa. “To wake up everyday not knowing how your body will respond, searching for solutions, and fighting for something you love and give everything even when it’s so difficult.

“Trust me I’m the first one suffering with pain and having endless nightmares to try to find solutions every single day and for me after all stepping on a tennis court, makes worth everything every time. So I’ll keep trying. Because it’s all about trying and that won’t change. I’ll always try one more time.

“I’m doing this for my passion and for myself. And if there’s even a 1% chance to keep going, I’ll take it. That’s just how I see and understand life. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to follow me. And I’m so sorry to inform you I won’t retire so you’ll keep seeing me for a while. Change channel next time.”

Badosa finished her response by thanking those who have stood by her during this period.

Paula Badosa set to fall outside top 80 after Dubai retirement

Badosa, now on the verge of dropping out of the top 80, is still listed to play next week at the WTA 500 event in Merida, Mexico.

Emma Navarro, who won the tournament last year, will return as the top seed.

If Badosa is able to get back in time for that event, she’ll then head over to Indian Wells to start her run through California. Indian Wells holds special meaning for Badosa—it’s where she claimed her biggest career title back in 2021.

But injuries have kept her out of the tournament for two straight years. Given that history, she might decide to skip Merida and focus entirely on getting ready for Indian Wells instead, which kicks off on March 4th.

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