Badosa says she almost quit because of injury concerns – ThePrint – ReutersFeed

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Injury problems nearly saw Paula Badosa give up the sport earlier this year, but the former world number two said she was slowly returning to her top level after reaching the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Friday.

Badosa was ranked number two in the world in 2022, but a series of injuries, notably a chronic back injury that threatened to end the Spaniard's career prematurely, caused her to fall out of the top 50.

“The low point for me was mid-season. It was really bad. When you have an injury at the beginning, you never know what to expect,” said Badosa after defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in the third round.

“At the beginning of the season I was fine, but when I saw that I was also struggling with my back, it didn't react well. My results were not what I expected at that moment. So it was really bad.

“In my mind I thought maybe I should quit because if I'm not at the highest level I don't want to do this sport. I don't want to be on the rankings that I was on at that moment. For me it doesn't make sense.”

Despite the low points, Badosa said she stuck with her team and trusted the process, adding she needed “time and patience” and her back to respond well.

The 26-year-old feels that she is now playing “at one of the best levels” of her career.

“It came after the clay court season, before the grass. I started to feel better. Slowly you start winning matches, you start to believe in yourself,” she said.

“The most important thing was that my back reacted really well. After that, I think I lost some very close games, but the level was there. Here in the US Swing I was finally able to prove it. I think all my work was worth it.”

“It means so much to me and after everything I've been through in the last year, it's very special for me to already be at this level. … At the beginning of the year, I was obsessed. I wanted to make the comeback of the year, no matter what.”

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

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