Spanish tennis professional Paula Badosa has candidly described feeling "like I'm drowning" in an emotional social media post, following her recent fall outside the world's top 100 rankings. The former world number two has experienced a significant decline in her position over recent months, primarily attributed to being sidelined as she continues to manage a persistent back injury.
Ranking Decline and Recent Performance
Badosa, aged 28, paused her 2025 season in September to focus on recovery, but has encountered difficulties securing victories since returning to competition at the start of the current season. In an attempt to regain form, she recently competed at a challenger event in Austin, where she won three matches before being eliminated in the semi-finals.
At the prestigious Miami Open, Badosa secured a victory in her opening match but was subsequently defeated in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, by emerging American talent Iva Jovic at the WTA 1000 tournament. Having reached the fourth round in the previous year, her early exit this season resulted in a loss of ranking points that pushed her outside the top 100 globally.
Emotional Social Media Revelation
The athlete took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message with her supporters, openly discussing her experiences with fear and acknowledging she is currently "far from my best version." In her post, Badosa wrote about the overwhelming nature of her emotions and the internal struggles she faces.
"Fear, that damn fear. It's so awful. Sometimes I feel like I can't control the voices inside me," Badosa expressed. "The emotions are overwhelming, and I feel like I'm drowning. Doubts take hold, and I feel lost in a sea of emotions."
She continued, "There are days when I feel strong enough, and others when the mountain seems too high... and I wonder if I'll be able to do it. I guess so. Because if anything defines me, it's that I always bounce back. Turn pain into power, right? Why should this time be any different?"
Commitment to Perseverance
Badosa emphasized her determination to continue striving, stating she wants to be remembered for her resilience during challenging periods rather than solely for tournament victories. "I won't be remembered for winning the most titles, but I want to be remembered for this. For these moments. For showing that Paula was able to pull through," she wrote.
She added, "And that any boy or girl going through a tough time will think of me and say, 'If she could do it, so can I.' That's why I'm still here. Because once again I'm going to prove that I can get through this. It will be very tough, but I promise to keep going until I succeed."
Response to Criticism and Injury Challenges
Last month, Badosa addressed criticism from a fan who accused her of being "disrespectful to the game" due to multiple match retirements and withdrawals. In her response, she highlighted the difficulties of competing with a chronic injury.
"You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going. 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," Badosa explained.
She further stated, "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."
Career Highlights and Personal Life
Badosa achieved her career-high ranking of world number two in 2022, but was subsequently forced to miss three of the four Grand Slam tournaments the following year due to her injury. She experienced a resurgence at the beginning of 2025, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open before losing to her close friend Aryna Sabalenka. This performance had temporarily returned her to the world's top 10.
The tennis star has also attracted attention in recent seasons due to her high-profile relationship with Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former men's world number three. The couple reportedly separated around Wimbledon last year, with both individuals confirming their breakup in November.
In her Instagram post, Badosa concluded with a message of gratitude to her supporters, writing, "And to my fans: thank you. Because many times you are the strength I need. Hearing you during matches, with that enthusiasm when even I can't muster it, is the most valuable thing this sport has given me. Thank you. Paula isn't back yet... but she will be."
