Badosa Confident in Rediscovering Her Best Form in Paris

Paula Badosa is back. The Catalan tennis player won her first match in over two months this week and seems to have overcome the back problems that have plagued her for some time, recently hindering her competitive performance.

After defeating Marie Bouzkova, who retired after six games, Badosa lost in the Strasbourg quarter-finals to Liudmila Samsonova, a top ten player, in a two-and-a-half-hour match. However, she proved to herself that she can compete again at the highest level.

"After two months off, two very painful injections, and countless hours of rehabilitation, I have been able not only to compete but also to fight at the highest level," she explained after that defeat on her social media.

"What people don't see is the frustration, the fear, the silent battles. The doubt that grows when your body doesn't let you do what it used to, and you don't know if it ever will. I didn't win today, but being on a tennis court again means I've already won. One thing I can guarantee is that I will always fight," Badosa added regarding her physical and mental state.

Badosa has set her sights on Paris, where she will have a challenging debut, as she will open the tournament against Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, former world number one, who recently won her first clay title. Interestingly, despite both being active on the circuit, they have never faced each other.

The draw has been tough for all the Spanish players. While Badosa debuts against Osaka, Cristina Bucsa faces Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Bouzas will play against Emma Navarro. Leyre Romero, who has won three matches to get through the qualifiers, awaits her opponent and will enter her first Grand Slam main draw at this Roland Garros.