Paula Badosa found herself at the center of a heated debate after retiring from her second-round match against Elina Svitolina at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to a right thigh injury. What followed was not just disappointment over another injury setback, but a wave of online criticism that prompted one of Badosa’s most emotional and defiant public responses.
A familiar and painful scenario
Badosa appeared sharp early in the match, building a 4-1 lead in the opening set and putting Svitolina under sustained pressure. However, she then lost the next five games as Svitolina capitalized to take the set.
After it ended, Badosa called for the physiotherapist. Despite treatment, she was unable to continue due to a thigh issue and retired from the match, sending seventh-seeded Svitolina through to the third round.
Criticism that crossed a line
Soon after, a post on X accused Badosa of being “disrespectful to the game,” suggesting she withdraws from tournaments too often. The comment struck at a sore point for a player who has spent months trying to manage chronic physical problems while staying on tour.
Badosa chose to respond directly.
“You have no idea what it’s like”
“You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going,” Badosa wrote, describing the daily uncertainty of waking up not knowing how her body will respond.
She spoke openly about constant pain, the mental toll of searching for solutions, and the determination it takes to keep stepping onto the court despite those challenges.
“Trust me I’m the first one suffering with pain and having endless nightmares,” she said, adding that for her, playing tennis is still worth it every time. Even if the odds are slim, she believes in trying again and again.
Badosa returned to the world’s Top 10 last year on the back of a series of strong performances, rebounding from multiple injuries, including a chronic back issue. This time she made it clear she is not competing to satisfy critics. She plays for her passion and for herself, and as long as there is even a one percent chance to continue, she will take it.
Her message ended with a blunt response to those judging her from afar. If they do not like it, they can stop watching.
“I’m so sorry to inform you I won’t retire, so you’ll keep seeing me for a while,” she wrote. “Change channel next time.”
She also highlighted a wider issue in modern sport, pointing out how quickly athletes are subjected to hate online, even as conversations around mental health continue to grow.