Paula Badosa and Pol Toledo End Four-Year Partnership

Paula Badosa enters the WTA 250 tournament in Osaka next week facing a major change in her corner, as the Spanish tennis player competes for the first time in four years without Pol Toledo as her coach.

Osaka Debut Against Antonia Ruzic

Badosa travels to Japan ranked 58th in the WTA standings and will square off against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic in the opening round. Ruzic currently holds the 93rd spot in the world rankings. The two players met once previously, with Badosa claiming victory in their lone prior encounter.

In Osaka, Badosa will work alongside sparring partner Carlos Silvestre. Meanwhile, fellow Spanish competitor Kaitlin Quevedo also features in the main draw, opening her tournament against Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee after capturing her maiden WTA title in September in São Paulo.

Split with Pol Toledo After Four Years

The upcoming tournament in Japan marks Badosa’s first competitive outing since her second-round exit at the WTA 1000 in Beijing against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. Following that tournament, Badosa and Toledo ended a professional relationship that began in April 2023.

Toledo, a childhood friend of the player, announced the conclusion of their partnership via social media, highlighting achievements such as reaching the Australian Open semifinals, winning the Washington 500 title, and returning to the top 10. Badosa later clarified on social media that she initiated the decision to part ways, writing that she remains grateful for their time together.

Closing the Season in Asia

Badosa turns 29 on November 15 and aims to accumulate ranking points during the remainder of the Asian swing. Following her matches in Osaka, she is scheduled to compete at tournaments in Guangzhou from October 26 to November 1 and Hong Kong from November 2 to November 8.