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In a remarkable comeback, Paula Badosa secured a spot in her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, stunning third seed Coco Gauff with a dominant 7-5, 6-4 victory. The 11th seed’s win over one of the tournament favorites is a significant milestone in her career, especially after battling through injury and mental health struggles that threatened her professional tennis journey just a year ago.
It was just 10 months ago that Badosa’s career was at a crossroads. After a series of injuries, including a debilitating stress fracture in her back, the Spanish player found herself questioning her future in tennis. Despite the immense pain and setbacks, including missing out on all Grand Slam events in 2023, Badosa fought to regain her place on the tour. Her path to recovery included cortisone injections and a determined return to the sport, which has now led her to one of her greatest achievements.
Badosa’s Steely Nerve in Key Moments
Facing Gauff, who entered the match as one of the most in-form players, Badosa showed exceptional composure, particularly in the crucial moments of both sets. After a tense first set, Badosa broke Gauff’s serve at 5-5 with a brilliant return game that featured three winners. Despite Gauff’s attempts to claw back into the match, Badosa held her nerve and sealed the win with a forehand winner in the second set.
“I’m a bit emotional,” Badosa said post-match. “The last slam, the quarter-finals were very tough for me. Today, I came in and wanted to play my best tennis, and I did it.”
Badosa’s triumph at the Australian Open follows an impressive recovery from a difficult 2023 season. After falling outside the top 100 and as low as No. 140, she has made an incredible comeback. With consistent results and an unwavering commitment to her game, she will now return to the top 10 for the first time since 2022.
Mental Health Struggles and Career Revival
Throughout her career, Badosa has also had to contend with mental health struggles. Despite a promising rise, which saw her reach No. 2 in the world, she often struggled with the pressures of the sport. It wasn’t until the 2023 US Open, where she reached her first quarter-final at a major, that Badosa began to show the mental resilience needed for sustained success. Now, her place in the semifinals marks the culmination of her hard work, both physically and mentally.
On the other side of the court, Coco Gauff, who started the tournament as a title contender, faced an unexpectedly difficult match. Gauff, who had been playing at her best following a strong end to 2024, struggled with her forehand throughout the match, committing 28 unforced errors compared to only seven from her backhand. Despite this setback, Gauff remained composed, acknowledging that while the loss was disappointing, it didn’t weigh her down as it might have in the past.
“I think it’s one of those things that maybe a couple of years ago I would feel a lot more crushed,” Gauff said. “Now, I think it’s just disappointment that I could have done better in some areas.”
Badosa’s Smart Tennis and Bold Play
Badosa’s performance against Gauff was a masterclass in consistency and smart tennis. She kept the pressure on Gauff by forcing errors early on and capitalized on key moments with bold, aggressive play. Her ability to close out the match when it mattered most demonstrated her growth as a player and her readiness to challenge the very best in the sport.
Reflecting on her journey, Badosa said, “A year ago, I was here with my back, not knowing if I was going to retire. Now I’m here, playing against the best in the world. I never thought I’d be in the semifinals a year later.”
Badosa’s historic run continues as she prepares for her first Grand Slam semifinal, marking a triumphant return to the elite ranks of women’s tennis after overcoming both physical and mental challenges.
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