Paula Badosa faces a heartbreaking reality: her pursuit of greatness has collided with a stubborn back injury that won’t heal. The Spaniard’s withdrawal from the 2025 US Open represents more than just missing another tournament. It’s watching her comeback dreams slip away again, one painful decision at a time.
Why Did Paula Badosa Withdraw From the 2025 US Open?
Badosa’s injury troubles began with a stress fracture in her lower back in 2023, which cut short her season. After a lengthy hiatus that saw her drop to No. 145 in the rankings, she mounted a strong comeback in 2024, winning the Mubadala Citi DC Open and reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open and the semifinals in Cincinnati and Beijing. Building on that momentum, she reached the semifinals of the 2025 Australian Open and returned to the top 10.
First Grand Slam semifinal, first win against a Top 10 opponent in a Grand Slam – Paula Badosa, this was a lesson in class and conviction 👏👏@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • @paulabadosa • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/O14jgI05KT
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
However, the same back injury returned to haunt her progress. The recurrence disrupted her momentum during the clay-court swing. It forced last-minute withdrawals from both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open. She last competed at the Wimbledon Championships and has since pulled out of the entire North American hard-court swing, including the 2025 US Open.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my withdrawal from this year’s US Open,” Badosa shared on her Instagram story.
The Spaniard went on to explain why this decision proved so difficult for her.
“This decision was incredibly difficult to make. After the amazing run I had in New York last year and the deep connection I feel with the city and its fans, stepping away from this tournament is very emotional for me. The US Open has always meant a great deal to me and I have created some of my most special memories there,” she added.
Badosa thanked those who stood by her during this challenging time and vowed to return to Flushing Meadows better and stronger.
“I want to thank everyone for the ongoing support. Right now I need to focus on my health and recovery so I can return stronger and ready to compete again. Wishing all the players the very best. To the fans in New York, I will miss you deeply and I look forward to being back as soon as I can,” she wrote.
Badosa’s participation in the 2025 US Open was already uncertain after she recently posted an emotional letter on Instagram.
MORE: Aryna Sabalenka Pens Heartfelt Note to Paula Badosa Amid Spaniard’s Recovery
What Did Paula Badosa’s Emotional Letter Reveal About Her Struggles?
Hours before announcing her withdrawal from the US Open, Badosa shared a deeply personal letter online. The Spaniard reflected on how hardships, failures, and difficult choices shaped her journey. She added that those setbacks weren’t signs of weakness but essential chapters in her still-unfolding story.
“I wasn’t built by easy days,” Badosa wrote on Instagram. “I was shaped by the moments that broke me, the choices that didn’t go as planned, and the times I fell short of who I wanted to be. My setbacks weren’t signs that I was weak; they were necessary chapters in a story that’s still being written.”
“Failure taught me what success never could. It humbled me. It forced me to look inward, to ask hard questions, to rebuild with more intention and clarity,” she added in that lengthy Instagram note.
Meanwhile, Badosa had been scheduled to play mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open, initially partnering with her boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas. Amid breakup rumors, she switched to Jack Draper, and it remains to be seen who will replace her in the event.