"I spent 8 months on a couch, all kinds of insecurities appear"- Paula Badosa opens up about dealing with self-doubt during long injury layoff in 2023
Paula Badosa has spoken up about her self-doubt and the lessons in patience that she was compelled to learn during her long injury layoff in 2023. The Spaniard's injury issues began at the 2023 Italian Open, and even though she returned in time for the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, the remainder of her season was cut short following her ill-fated campaign at SW19.
Badosa sustained a spinal stress fracture during her fourth-round loss to Karolina Muchova at the 2023 Italian Open. This led to the Spaniard withdrawing from the French Open, mere days ahead of the start of the claycourt Grand Slam. However, the former World No. 2 was determined to be back in time for the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, and she did make her comeback at the prestigious grasscourt Major.
While the Spaniard won her first-round encounter at SW19, persistent pain in her back forced her to retire mid-match during her second-round clash against Marta Kostyuk. Soon after, she began to harbor hopes of returning again, this time at the 2023 US Open, where she was drawn against Venus Williams in the first round.
However, at this point, things went from bad to worse for Badosa, as her worsening pain forced her to withdraw from the US Open and cut short her season. Recently, the former World No. 2 revisited the time she spent on the sidelines in an interview with Elle. According to Badosa, she learned a great deal about patience during this period.
"I have learned to be very patient and to accept things that I cannot control, such as an injury of this magnitude. The most important learning has been to be strong, to overcome myself every day and to accept being okay with what I cannot control, which is a lot in this sport. Something that also helps me in life," Badosa told Elle.
The 2021 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) champion went on to recall the "insecurities and questions" she had to deal with as she spent time recovering. However, she admitted that she came to realize that she was still loved and appreciated, despite her injury woes.
"I spent eight months on a couch without moving and, of course, all kinds of insecurities and questions appear without looking for it like: "What do I do now? Who am I? Am I really worth it?" Until you realize that you are the same as always and that those around you love you for that. That I am still the same and that they will not change me for anything," Badosa added.
Paula Badosa expresses gratitude to family after the conclusion of her 2024 French Open campaign
Badosa managed to feature at the 2024 French Open, and fought her way to victory across the first two rounds of the tournament. Unfortunately, her campaign came to an end at the hands of close friend Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.
Later, the Spaniard took to Instagram and penned a thankful post, as she recalled the injury horror that she had to experience during the previous year.
"One year ago they gave me one of the worst news of my career, had to stop for many months of playing tennis. I watched this tournament from the couch with a lot of pain and without knowing what was the future holding for me. A year after I had the opportunity to play again in front of all of you again," Badosa wrote.
Badosa went on to express her gratitude to her team, family and fans.
"It’s been a very difficult journey but I had the best people by my side during this period. I wanted to thank my team, family and fans for being there at my toughest moments," Badosa added.
The former World No. 2's most recent outing came at this year's edition of the Wimbledon Championships, where she lost to semifinalist Donna Vekic in the fourth round.