"He looked at me with a face like I was crazy"- Paula Badosa reveals boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas' "unforgettable" words that inspired 2024 comeback
Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas have been a constant support for each other throughout their difficult moments. Recently, Badosa shared that she started 2024 feeling uncertain about her future, but it was her boyfriend Tsitsipas' unwavering belief and words of encouragement that motivated her to push forward and find success.
In an interview with Álex Corretja on Movistar+, Badosa revealed a conversation she had with the Greek player at the French Open. The Spaniard was experiencing negative thoughts about the season and was on the verge of giving up before Tsitsipas changed her mind.
Badosa said (via eurosport),
"I will never forget it. I wasn't well, I wasn't where I wanted to be. And I told him: I think I'm going to give up this year because I don't see myself going back to this. And he looked at me with a face like I was crazy and said, 'but you're going to be in the top 10 again soon.'
"I looked at him and said, 'this one has gone. He loves me a lot' (laughs)" [translated from Spanish].
Badosa enjoyed a purple patch in 2022 which led her to a career-high ranking of World No. 2. However, injuries and illnesses affected her performance, and, in 2023, a chronic back injury kept her out of action.
During the 2024 French Open, Badosa fell out of the Top 100 but after her now-public conversation with her boyfriend, she commenced on an impressive resurgence.
The 26-year-old piled up deep runs in several tournaments and even won her first title in two years — the Citi Open in Washington — before ending her season ranked World No. 12. She expressed pride in her phenomenal comeback and success in 2024.
"Stefanos Tsitsipas has been there in almost all my bad moments" - Paula Badosa
Reflecting on her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Paula Badosa emphasized the connection between the two. She noted how his empathy and understanding have helped her, especially during her toughest moments. In the interview with Álex Corretja, Badosa added,
"When you have played tennis you perceive these things. He is a person who empathizes a lot. He has been there in almost all my bad moments and has been a great support for me.
"And we have something that is also very beautiful in a couple, which is to admire the other. We respect and admire each other a lot. Hearing those words from a great athlete like him motivates me. That your partner believes in you also helps."
Currently, Stefanos Tsitsipas is in Turin, Italy, as an alternate at the 2024 ATP Finals. Meanwhile, Paula Badosa is in Malaga, Spain, preparing to take on Poland, featuring Iga Swiatek among others, in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.