Paula Badosa has been handed a tough first round match at Wimbledon, facing off against British number two Katie Boulter.
Badosa, formerly world number two, has long-suffered with recurring injuries to her back, including a stress fracture in her L4 and L5 vertebrae. At one point, Badosa was unsure about her future in the sport.
Despite these setbacks, Badosa has maintained her status as one of the WTA Tour’s best players. She is currently ranked ninth in the world.
Ahead of her Wimbledon first round match against Katie Boulter, Badosa shared a conversation she had with Boulter during a period of injury.
Katie Boulter messaged Paula Badosa to ask how she was dealing with her injury
Speaking during a Wimbledon press conference ahead of her Wimbledon first round match, Badosa complimented Katie Boulter before revealing that the Brit had contacted her when she was injured.
Badosa said: “I mean, we’ve known each other since we were juniors. She was always a very, very talented player. I think she’s a very dangerous player, especially when she plays big matches.
“She [Boulter] likes these kind of matches. Very aggressive, and I think on grass she plays very well. It’s maybe where she plays the best. So, yeah, I’m expecting a very tough match, but as a person, I respect her a lot.
“She’s a very nice girl and we always had a very good relationship.
Boulter, who predicted Badosa’s reaction to the Wimbledon draw, has performed well on grass in the past and should provide a stern test for Badosa.
Badosa continued: “When I got injured for the first time, she texted me and she came to me to ask me how I was dealing with it and that she had it a few years ago and it was very tough and a long process for her. But now she totally healed it.
“So, yeah, she keeps asking me all the time when I’m retiring and everything. How is my back? So that’s very nice from her.”
Paula Badosa practises with Ons Jabeur ahead of Wimbledon
Ahead of Wimbledon, Badosa took the time to practise with former Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur.
The pair recently played doubles together at the Berlin Grass Court Championships, reaching the semi-finals.
The pair were in a jovial mood, sharing a hug before taking to the court.
Jabeur has slipped to 59 in the world since making back-to-back Wimbledon finals in 2022 and 2023. The Tunisian lost to Elena Rybakina in the 2022 final and Marketa Vondrousova in the 2023 final. She also lost the 2022 US Open final to Iga Swiatek.
Jabeur is scheduled to face Viktoriya Tomova in the Wimbledon first round at 11 am on Monday. Badosa is set to play Boulter on Monday too, at 3:10 pm.
