Paula Badosa has responded after a rival hit out when she withdrew from doubles in Beijing (Image: Getty)
Paula Badosa has hit back after one of her rivals called her out for “taking her place” at the China Open.
The Spaniard entered the singles and doubles events, partnering with Karolina Muchova in the latter. But after their first-round win, they pulled out while remaining in the singles draws.
It left Irina Khromacheva frustrated as she publicly slammed Badosa. But the world No. 19 has now had her say.
Khromacheva’s response sparked a debate on social media, where some tennis fans pointed out that Badosa had a habit of entering doubles draws before withdrawing after beating another team.
However, it has since emerged that the official reason for their withdrawal in Beijing was a wrist injury for Muchova. One of Badosa’s supporters shared a screenshot confirming why they pulled out and the Spanish tennis ace responded.
“People judge without fully understanding anything. It’s brutal,” she wrote, adding a laughing emoji.
Karolina Muchova and Paula Badosa teamed up in doubles at the China Open before pulling out (Image: Getty)
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It comes after Khromacheva accused singles players of stealing the spots of doubles specialists. Partnering with Anna Danilina, they suffered a 6-3 6-2 loss to Badosa and Muchova in the first round of the China Open.
The doubles world No. 28 later wrote: “Bravo WTA… We lost to singles players in doubles in Beijing tournament… And second round they are pulling out cause they don’t care about doubles… but they continue to play singles this week…
“Completely crazy by taking place of teams who could enter and participate fully… I had this situation twice this year that when they won the first round they pulling out… Without respect to doubles players… And also for people who are signing in on-site trying to get in… Very nice rule.
Paula Badosa and Karolina Muchova beat Irina Khromacheva and Anna Danilina (Image: Getty)
“Plus tournament losing one match on the schedule… Respect in WTA Tour, no didn’t hear it exists… CRAZY…”
Both Badosa and Muchova are still alive in the singles draw at the China Open. Muchova has struggled with wrist problems and underwent surgery earlier this year, so she likely will have pulled out of doubles to avoid overuse and prevent injury.
The former French Open finalist faces in the quarter-final while Badosa will take on Zhang Shuai in the last eight.