In the midst of a challenging tennis season, the power couple of the game, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, have taken a breather to indulge in a riveting NBA experience. The Greek maestro Tsitsipas once confessed to ESTO how his life was illuminated with Badosa’s entry, a statement that has proven to be a testament to their mutual support and admiration.
Their symbiotic relationship has been on full display, from Paula’s clarification about her Happy Slam 3rd-round gesture not being for Stefanos (although his support from the stands was undeniable) to their heartwarming tribute on International Women’s Day, which included a cozy video of their snowy getaway. Adding a new chapter to their story, the pair were recently seen enjoying a courtside NBA game, savoring a much-needed break from tennis.
The start of their season has been a test of resilience for both Tsitsipas and Badosa. Tsitsipas, though triumphant at the Dubai Tennis Championships, has been anything but consistent. His early bow-out at the Australian Open, followed by a quarterfinal loss at ATP Rotterdam, an R32 exit at the Qatar Open, and an R16 defeat at Indian Wells, underscore the volatility of his performance.
Badosa, the WTA ace, has faced her fair share of hurdles, too. After a bitter defeat to her best friend Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open semifinals, she suffered early losses at the Abu Dhabi Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, and Qatar Open. She also had to withdraw from Indian Wells due to a back injury, a competition she had triumphed in the previous year. With the Miami Open on the horizon, the two decided to steal some downtime at an NBA match before the tennis action resumes.
The ‘ATP Tour’ social media page caught a candid moment of the duo reveling in the Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons game. They seemed to be soaking in the electric atmosphere, visibly in high spirits. Badosa also took to Instagram to share snippets of their night at the Kaseya Center, adding to their collection of special moments together.
Not content with just spectating, the couple has also ventured into pickleball, enjoying a lively ‘mixed double’ match ahead of the Miami Open. The fast-paced game was a fresh challenge for the duo, and their unmistakable chemistry was evident in the shared video clip.
Excitement brews for the couple as Tsitsipas teases an upcoming mixed doubles event later this year. The US Open organizers have decided to shake things up by revamping the mixed doubles format and introducing a $1 million prize pool to attract more singles players. Tsitsipas, the recent Dubai Open Winner, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and hinted at a potential mixed doubles partnership with his partner, Badosa.
The Greek player firmly stated at a Dubai press conference, “We plan to play it. She’s the mixed doubles partner I’ll always play with. I don’t have any other options or players I’d like to play mixed doubles with. She’s the one I’d like to share the court with.”
Although the mixed doubles match at the US Open is a while away, Tsitsipas will first compete against 23-year-old Tseng Chun-hsin, while Badosa will face 18-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko. It remains to be seen how this power couple will fare in the upcoming tournament.
