Paula Badosa unexpectedly retired during her quarterfinal match at the WTA 500 Mérida Open, leaving her fans concerned over her health amid persistent back issues. The incident occurred shortly after she dominated the first set against Daria Saville with a score of 6-1.
During the second set, at 4-3, Badosa signaled for medical attention as her back pain became increasingly troubling. This situation is particularly alarming considering her past struggle with a stress fracture in the L4/L5 vertebra, which has been a consistent challenge for the young player. Following her treatment, she was unable to continue, leaving the court visibly upset and covering her face with her visor.
The 26-year-old Spaniard's retirement marks the 35th of her career and the first of the 2025 season. "I decided enough was enough after losing the next game," Badosa stated after her departure, reflecting the depth of frustration caused by her injury. Saville, now 121st in the world, advanced to the semifinals, where she will face Emiliana Arango, who triumphed over Rebecca Sramkova.
Earlier, Arango notched her place in the semifinal with her impressive three-set victory against Sramkova, winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-0. On the other side of the draw, the top seed Emma Navarro earned her spot against Elina Avanesyan after handling Zeynep Sonmez—with wins of 6-4, 6-2—assertive matches considering the pressure they carry.
The Mérida Open is being held on hard courts at the Yucatán Country Club and boasts considerable prize money of one million dollars. With this retirement, Badosa’s focus may shift to the upcoming WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells, scheduled from March 5 to March 16, where she previously claimed the title back in 2021. Given her successful history at the tournament, fans are eager to see if her health will permit another competitive run.
Reflecting on her past year, Badosa revealed to reports, "I've been suffering from chronic back pain, and it's been tough. I am trying everything I can to manage it, including cortisone injections to keep competing. If it allows me to step on the court and compete, then I've already won." This proactive approach to her recovery indicates her determination to continue her career, even as she faces these challenges.
Her recent retirement serves as a reminder of the physical toll professional sports can take. Badosa's return to the top 10 is imminent, and she is also scheduled to participate in the Eisenhower Cup, slated for March 4, which serves as a warm-up for Indian Wells, alongside her partner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is set to play the ATP final today.
While her injury is worrisome, her resilience shines through, garnering empathy and support. The tennis community watches closely, hoping for her swift recovery and return to form as the competitive calendar heats up.