Elina Svitolina sends message to Paula Badosa after her injury retirement in Dubai

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Paula Badosa retired after one set of her second-round match against Elina Svitolina at the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships.

The Spaniard lost the first set 6-4 and subsequently retired from the match due to injury.

Benefiting from Badosa’s misfortune, Svitolina booked her place in the third round, where she will play Belinda Bencic.

Alexandra Eala will finish 2026 ranked — in the world

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She was, however, very sympathetic towards Badosa and sent a message of support during her post-match interview.

Elina Svitolina says she ‘hopes’ Paula Badosa can recover in time for Indian Wells

“Of course, very sad for Paula [Badosa], she is such a great player,” said Svitolina.

“I think we showed a great tennis in the first set, very, very upset for her injury.

“Hopefully, she can recover and be ready for the US swing.

• Indian Wells (Begins March 4)
• Miami Open (Begins March 18)

“I think it was a very tough first set, never easy to play against Paula.

“She was playing really well, serving well.

Elina Svitolina vs Paula Badosa – Match stats

“I tried to react, stay in that first set, and luckily won it.”

Svitolina picked up the win, securing her place in the next round.

Things are looking up for the Ukrainian, but trouble is brewing for Badosa…

Paula Badosa defends herself online after latest injury

After watching Badosa retire in Dubai, one fan shared the following message on social media.

“Paula Badosa is so disrespectful to the game, you just cannot retire/withdraw from every tournament,” they said.

Replying on X, Badosa defended herself in an emotional statement.

“You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going,” she said.

“To wake up every day not knowing how your body will respond, searching for solutions, and fighting for something you love and give everything, even when it’s so difficult.

“Trust me, I’m the first one suffering with pain and having endless nightmares to try to find solutions every single day, and for me, after all, stepping on a tennis court, makes [it] worth everything every time.

“So I’ll keep trying. Because it’s all about trying, and that won’t change. I’ll always try one more time.

“I’m doing this for my passion and for myself. And if there’s even a 1% chance to keep going, I’ll take it. That’s just how I see and understand life.

How would you solve the tennis injury crisis?

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“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to follow me.

“And I’m so sorry to inform you, I won’t retire, so you’ll keep seeing me for a while. Change channel next time.”

Badosa doesn’t plan on giving up, but just how many more times can she retire/withdraw before that becomes a real possibility…

Every Paula Badosa retirement/withdrawal since the beginning of 2025

The Spaniard’s back problems have troubled her throughout her career, but really halted her progress in 2025.

During the period when she’s retired/withdrawn from nine tournaments, she’s only played 13 without issue.

It might be unfair for a fan to suggest Badosa is ‘disrespecting’ tennis, but there’s certainly cause for concern.

Badosa is never going to return to the top 10 unless she solves the problem.

Only time will tell if she will ever get back to her best, but for her sake, we certainly hope she can!

The 2026 Indian Wells tournament begins on Wednesday, March 4.