In the wake of her unfortunate withdrawal from the Indian Wells tournament, world-ranked No. 10 tennis player Paula Badosa received a heartfelt message from her boyfriend and fellow tennis star, Stefanos Tsitsipas. Badosa’s retreat from the Californian WTA 1000 event was due to a persistent back injury, which had previously led to her pulling out of the Merida Open semi-final and the Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles exhibition earlier this month.
Tsitsipas, who recently took home his 12th career title from Dubai, has been carrying the torch for the couple at Indian Wells, sailing smoothly into the fourth round. Meanwhile, Badosa is grappling with the disappointment of her back injury, a significant setback after a series of impressive performances on the tennis circuit.
The Spanish tennis sensation made the tough decision to withdraw from the Indian Wells tournament on Thursday, expressing her profound regret in a statement. “I’m very sorry to withdraw from one of my favorite tournaments. I tried until the last moment to play. I am really sad and hopefully will be back next year,” the 2021 champion voiced.
In an attempt to lift her spirits, Tsitsipas took to social media on March 8, International Women’s Day, sharing a tender tribute video of the couple enjoying a winter holiday. The Greek tennis star also penned a special message for his girlfriend, encouraging her to continue being the “force of nature” she is.
Apart from his tournament exploits, Tsitsipas opened up about his off-court life with Badosa during a post-match interview at Indian Wells. He revealed that Badosa had recently taken up cooking for him, an activity they enjoy together. The No. 8 seed also spoke about his other hobbies, including walks and mini golf, which he suggested could be their next date.
Tsitsipas is currently enjoying a seven-match winning streak and will face either Holger Rune or Ugo Humbert in his bid for a quarter-final spot. As for Badosa, the aim is to recover in time for the Miami Open later this month. The WTA main draw begins on March 18, and Badosa will receive a bye into the second round.
In conclusion, despite the disappointment of the Indian Wells withdrawal, both Tsitsipas and Badosa continue to show strength, both on and off the court. While they navigate their careers and relationship, fans and followers eagerly anticipate their future performances.