Paula Badosa’s Berlin Open run took an unexpectedly personal turn on Wednesday as the former world No. 2 opened up about the emotional toll of her breakup with Stefanos Tsitsipas, linking her struggles away from tennis to one of the most difficult periods of her career. Fresh off a comeback victory over Coco Gauff, Badosa spoke candidly about the challenges she has faced over the past year, making it clear that her battles were not limited to injuries and ranking setbacks. Her comments quickly sparked debate among fans, with some expressing concern over the public nature of her remarks.
Why Did Paula Badosa Publicly Criticize Stefanos Tsitsipas After Her Berlin Win?
Badosa's 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Gauff was one of her most significant wins in recent months, but the post-match conversation shifted away from tennis when she addressed the aftermath of her relationship with Tsitsipas. The Spaniard, whose ranking slipped to No. 140 following an injury-hit 2025 season, admitted that personal issues weighed heavily on her recovery and confidence. While discussing her journey back to form, she did not hide her frustration over how the breakup unfolded.
“I’ve been through a lot of breakups in my life, I accept them and I know things are the way they are. But when there are toxic things around, it makes everything much harder than a normal breakup,” she said. Badosa went on to suggest that maintaining a healthy relationship with an ex is possible when both people handle the situation maturely.
“You can have a great relationship with an ex because they’re normal people and it’s a normal relationship,” she continued. “But when it’s not like that… I don’t need to explain any further. You can see every day that the other person makes everything harder.”
Those comments came after a difficult stretch in which injuries repeatedly interrupted her attempts to rebuild momentum. Early exits in Melbourne, Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami were followed by another physical setback before Madrid. The combination of professional disappointment and personal strain nearly pushed her to step away from the sport.
“After Madrid I had to stop, mentally it was too much for me,” she said. Reflecting on that period, Badosa explained that her declining ranking and off-court challenges became intertwined.
“I couldn’t find a way to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve been doing everything I can. A year ago, I was in the top 10, and seeing where I am now isn’t easy. That’s the professional side. On the personal side, the process hasn’t been easy either, trying to clear a lot of things from my life.”
Now back competing deep into a tournament for the first time in more than a year, she believes she has regained stability. “Finally, it’s been a few months since I’ve been in a good environment, but getting past the toxic things around me wasn’t easy. But it’s something you have to go through as a woman, and I’m feeling strong again.”
Then came the line that instantly caught attention. “Now I want to see tomorrow’s headlines: ‘Paula attacks Tsitsipas.’ Well, he deserves it!”
The reaction online was swift. Some fans sympathized with Badosa's honesty, while others questioned whether such grievances should be aired publicly. One Reddit user wrote, “Dragging the media into your personal dispute seems pretty toxic itself,” while another warned that publicly discussing private matters could create unnecessary complications. Regardless of opinion, Badosa's remarks ensured that her comeback story in Berlin became about much more than tennis.
