Paula Badosa is taking drastic measures to treat her back injury (Image: Instagram @paulabadosa / WTA)
is in a race against time to recover for Indian Wells following her latest injury scare. The world No. 10 recently retired during the Merida Open, citing back pain. She later pulled out of the Eisenhower Cup exhibition on the eve of the tournament in California.
The Spaniard has a history of back injuries – she ended her 2023 season with a stress fracture and, last year, resorted to using cortisone injections to manage the pain. And Badosa has now shared the measures she’s taking to be ready for this week’s WTA 1000 event.
Indian Wells has a special place in Badosa’s heart – it’s where she lifted the biggest title of her career in 2021. So it’s no surprise she is doing everything possible to recover in time to compete.
The 27-year-old retired in the middle of her semi-final match in Merida over the weekend. Badosa led Daria Saville 6-1 3-4 when she called the physio. She played on but forfeited the match after losing the next game.
In a statement, Badosa later said: “I had to pull out of the match in Merida because of lower back pain, but I’m already working on getting better. I’ll give it my all to get back on the court as soon as possible, with more energy than ever.”
The world No. 10 was entered into the Eisenhower Cup – a Tie Break Tens exhibition staged on the eve of main draw play in Indian Wells – with her boyfriend, . But she
Paula Badosa is a former champion in Indian Wells (Image: Getty)
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Badosa remains in the draw for Indian Wells and is doing everything she can to recover for her first match. The Spaniard took to to share a photo of her treatment ahead of the tournament.
She was pictured lying on her front, with several wires against her back, receiving what appeared to be intramuscular nerve stimulation to speed up the recovery process. “Step by step,” Badosa wrote.
As the 11th seed, Badosa benefits from a bye into the second round, meaning she won’t play until Friday at the earliest, giving her extra time to recuperate.
If she’s ready to take to the court in round two, Badosa will face either Kamilla Rakhimova or wildcard Caroline Dolehide.
But the 27-year-old won’t want to rush things if she’s not ready, as her career was previously threatened by a back injury. Badosa ended her 2023 season after with a back issue.
When she returned in 2024, things didn’t go to plan. Doctors told her she needed cortisone injections to manage the pain and Badosa dropped outside of the world’s top 100 in spring.
But she finally rediscovered her best game in the summer, lifting the title in Washington.
Since then, Badosa has gone on deep runs at Grand Slams and WTA 1000 events, and re-entered the top 10. And she will be eager to carry that momentum into Indian Wells.