Paula Badosa Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles Amid Ranking Slide

MIAMI, FL – Former world No. 2 Paula Badosa is grappling with significant mental health challenges as she faces a difficult stretch in her tennis career, recently dropping out of the WTA top 100. The Spanish player, currently ranked No. 113, shared a raw and vulnerable message on social media following her second-round loss at the Miami Open to Iva Jovic, 6-2, 6-1.

Badosa’s candid post, detailing her struggles with “brutal fears” and “inner voices,” has resonated with fans and sparked a wider conversation about the pressures faced by professional athletes. The 26-year-old, born in New York City and representing Spain, has been open in the past about the physical toll her career has taken, but this latest revelation offers a deeper look into the emotional battles she’s fighting.

A Recent Setback in Miami

The loss to Jovic in Miami marked another low point in a season that has been hampered by inconsistency and injury. Badosa, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in April 2022, had hoped to regain momentum at the Masters 1000 event. However, the straight-sets defeat confirmed her slide out of the top 100, a ranking she hadn’t fallen below since 2019. The result underscores the challenges she faces in returning to the form that saw her win four WTA singles titles, including a WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells in 2021.

“Fear, F—ing Fear”

Badosa’s Instagram story, translated from Spanish, revealed the depth of her emotional turmoil. “Fear, f—ing fear. How brutal It’s,” she wrote. “Sometimes I feel like I can’t control the voices inside me. The emotions are too much, and I find myself overwhelmed. Doubts grab hold of me, and I feel lost in a sea of emotions.” The post, reported by multiple outlets including the New York Post, offers a stark contrast to the composed image often presented by professional athletes.

This isn’t the first time Badosa has faced adversity. In 2023, she was forced to withdraw from the French Open due to a back injury, ending her season prematurely. She similarly experienced injury setbacks in 2025, affecting her performance after reaching the Australian Open semifinals – her best Grand Slam result to date, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.

A Career of Highs and Lows

Badosa’s journey to the top of women’s tennis has been marked by both impressive achievements and significant obstacles. She captured her first two WTA singles titles in 2021 at Belgrade and Indian Wells, demonstrating her potential to compete at the highest level. Her aggressive baseline game, with a particularly strong serve, has been a key component of her success. She is currently coached by Pol Toledo, having previously worked with Jorge García.

The 2024 season offered a glimmer of hope, as Badosa was named the WTA Comeback Player of the Year after finishing the year at No. 12, a significant improvement from her No. 66 ranking at the end of 2023. She won her fourth career title in Washington D.C. And reached the semifinals in Cincinnati, Beijing, and Ningbo, as well as the quarterfinals at the US Open. However, the recent downturn in form raises questions about her ability to consistently perform at that level.

Beyond the Court: Interests and Influences

Away from the court, Badosa is known for her intellectual pursuits. She enjoys reading and often travels with books, with “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom being a particular favorite. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Catalan, and has expressed a desire to learn more languages. Her childhood idol was Maria Sharapova, whose dedication and work ethic inspired her to pursue a professional tennis career.

What’s Next for Badosa?

Despite her current struggles, Badosa remains determined to overcome her challenges. Her Instagram post concluded with a message of resilience: “There’s one thing I’m clear about… I’ll always try with all my strength. I’ll do whatever it takes.” Her next scheduled tournament is currently unconfirmed, but she is expected to reassess her schedule and training regimen in an effort to regain her form and confidence.

Badosa’s openness about her mental health struggles is a significant step towards destigmatizing these issues within the world of professional sports. Her vulnerability serves as a reminder that even the most successful athletes face personal battles, and that seeking facilitate is a sign of strength, not weakness. The tennis world will be watching closely to observe how she navigates this challenging period and whether she can rediscover the form that once made her a force to be reckoned with.

Fans can follow Badosa’s progress and receive official updates through the WTA website: https://www.wtatennis.com/players/320124/paula-badosa