Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek tennis sensation, tenderly reached out to his romantic partner Paula Badosa, ranked 10th in the world, following her sorrowful withdrawal from Indian Wells. Badosa, a decorated champion herself, has been grappling with a debilitating back injury of late, leading to her unfortunate exit from the esteemed WTA 1000 event in California.
Tsitsipas, now bearing the couple’s hopes singlehandedly in the tournament, continues to impress with his tenacious spirit. Fresh from securing his 12th career victory in Dubai last month, the Greek dynamo is maintaining his winning streak at Indian Wells, having powered his way into the fourth round.
Badosa’s recent performances on the tour have been nothing short of remarkable. However, the persistent back issue has proven to be a significant hurdle for the Spanish player. It led to her abrupt retirement from the Merida Open semi-final earlier this month and her inability to participate in the Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles exhibition, where she was scheduled to play alongside Tsitsipas.
Despite her best efforts to recover in time for her opening match at Indian Wells, Badosa had to admit defeat and withdraw from the competition. Her statement encapsulated her disappointment, as she expressed her deep regret over having to pull out from one of her most cherished tournaments. Nevertheless, she remains hopeful of making a triumphant return next year.
In an attempt to lift her spirits during this challenging time, Tsitsipas paid a heartfelt tribute to Badosa on social media. On International Women’s Day, March 8, the 27-year-old shared a heartwarming video of the couple enjoying a winter vacation. His accompanying message celebrated women around the world while also including a personal note to his girlfriend, encouraging her to continue being the force of nature she is.
Following his victory over Matteo Berrettini in the third round of Indian Wells on Sunday, Tsitsipas also shed some light on his personal life with Badosa. The world number eight revealed that his girlfriend had taken up cooking for him, making their time together in the kitchen an enjoyable experience. He also hinted at a potential date night with Badosa, involving a game of mini golf, a plan he is excited to put into action.
Next up for Tsitsipas is either Holger Rune or Ugo Humbert as he vies for a place in the quarter-final. The Greek star is currently riding a seven-match winning wave. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Badosa as she aims to make a speedy recovery and return to the court for the Miami Open later this month. The WTA main draw commences on March 18, and with Badosa assured a bye into the second round, fans are eagerly awaiting her return.