In a world where tennis prowess should take center stage, Spanish star Paula Badosa has bravely called out the invasive media scrutiny that overshadows her career and personal life. The 27-year-old, who has been in a high-profile relationship with Greek tennis sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas since May 2023, revealed the harsh realities of navigating fame, love, and a relentless media spotlight in a candid interview with the Spanish edition of Elle magazine.
A Love Story Under Fire
Badosa and Tsitsipas, both elite athletes at the peak of their careers, went public with their romance in June 2023, shortly after connecting during the Italian Open. What should have been a joyful chapter quickly turned into a media frenzy. The couple faced relentless paparazzi attention and online criticism, with some questioning whether their relationship was to blame for Badosa’s on-court struggles. A brief separation in May 2024 only fueled the speculation, though the pair reconciled weeks later, proving their bond’s resilience.
In her Elle interview, Badosa didn’t hold back, exposing the stark gender disparity in tennis media coverage. “In women’s sports, the personal side is more focused than in men’s,” she said, highlighting how female athletes’ private lives are dissected far more than their male counterparts’. “Topics are discussed that shouldn’t even be touched upon,” she added, her frustration palpable.
The former World No. 2 admitted that comments about her privacy used to sting. “It bothered me a lot,” she confessed. But Badosa has since adopted a defiant stance: “I’ve now accepted that they’re not my problem, but rather the problem of the people who spread them. My happiness can’t depend on something in someone else’s hands.”
Battling Criticism and Injury
The scrutiny intensified when critics linked Badosa’s relationship with Tsitsipas, currently ranked No. 13 in the ATP and a former Grand Slam finalist, to her dips in form. In a previous interview with La Vanguardia, Badosa dismissed such claims as absurd. “Criticism is never easy, but sometimes we find it funny because people don’t realize we are two people who share the same passion,” she said. “I could understand this criticism if it were with someone from another world, but being two athletes with a clear objective, people don’t even know what they’re judging.”
Beyond the media storm, Badosa has faced significant physical challenges. A recurring lower back injury—a fracture in her L4 vertebra—has plagued her since 2023, forcing her to rely on cortisone injections and endure periods outside the top 50. Yet, her determination has shone through. In 2024, she staged a remarkable comeback, earning the WTA’s “Comeback Player of the Year” award and finishing the season ranked No. 12 after dropping to No. 66 the previous year.
A Resilient Comeback Cut Short
Badosa’s resurgence continued into 2025, with a stellar run to the Australian Open semifinals propelling her back into the top 10, where she currently sits at No. 10. However, her injury woes persist. At her most recent tournament in Berlin, Badosa was forced to retire during her quarterfinal match against China’s Wang Xinyu after losing the first set 6-1. Visibly distraught, she left the court, a stark reminder of the physical and emotional toll of her ongoing battle with injury.
Despite these setbacks, Badosa’s mental fortitude remains unshaken. “I’ve managed to keep all that at bay,” she told Elle, reflecting on how she’s grown accustomed to the noise surrounding her personal life. Her focus remains on her craft, her passion, and her unyielding drive to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
A Voice for Change
Badosa’s story is more than a tale of athletic triumph—it’s a powerful statement against the unfair scrutiny female athletes face. By speaking out, she’s shining a light on the media’s obsession with personal narratives over professional achievements in women’s sports. Her resilience, both on and off the court, serves as an inspiration, proving that no amount of gossip or injury can dim her star.