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Badosa’s Remarkable Journey to Australian Open Semi-Finals
Paula Badosa delivered a stunning performance at the Australian Open, defeating Coco Gauff and marking her progress to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time. This achievement is particularly poignant given the challenging circumstances she faced just a year prior, when she contemplated retiring from professional tennis.
Once ranked as high as world number two, the Spanish player endured nearly two years of debilitating back issues that caused her ranking to plummet to 140th. However, a renewed vigor took hold at the end of 2024, highlighting her incredible resilience. Badosa halted Gauff’s impressive 13-match winning streak with a decisive 7-5, 6-4 victory.
“I feel quite emotional – I tend to be a very sensitive person,” Badosa reflected after her victory. “I’ve gone through so much. While I was once among the best in tennis, I truly believe I’ve become a better player now.”
In recognition of her journey, Badosa received the WTA’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2024. This accolade followed her recovery from a stress fracture in her spine, which had sidelined her for two of the four Grand Slam tournaments the previous year.
The 27-year-old recently clinched her first title in over two years at the Washington Open last August, demonstrating impressive form by reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open shortly thereafter.
“Just a year ago, I was here dealing with back pain and unsure if I would have to step away from my career,” remarked the 11th seed Badosa. “Now, I’m competing against the best, and having won today, I’m in the semi-finals. I never imagined a year later that I would find myself in this position. It’s a dream realized.”
Looking ahead, Badosa is set to face either Aryna Sabalenka, a two-time defending champion and her close friend, or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who is seeded 27th. This next match presents another challenge in her impressive comeback tale, further cementing her status as a formidable player on the women’s circuit.
Source
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