Former world number two left in tears as she is forced to retire for the third time this year 

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This WTA player has not had any luck with injuries in recent years and she has now faced another setback.

The impact of the busy tennis calendar is really beginning to show, with Beatriz Haddad Maia and Elina Svitolina already ending their seasons.

There had already been one retirement on day five of the main draw of the China Open, with Barbora Krejcikova succumbing to a knee injury.

Krejcikova has faced many injury struggles this year, and that is no different to the WTA player who followed in her shoes.

Paula Badosa left in tears after retiring with injury at the China Open

Paula Badosa has faced many injury woes in recent years, particularly relating to her chronic back problem that continues to be an issue.

After suffering another setback at Wimbledon, Badosa was out for nearly three months that included missing the US Open, before returning to action at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Despite losing her only match at the team competition, Badosa provided a positive fitness update and returned to winning ways after beating Antonia Ruzic in her opening match at the China Open.

However, fitness problems reappeared in her match against Karolina Muchova, with Badosa being forced to retire after playing six games.

Badosa received medical attention on her left thigh injury which she suffered at Wimbledon, and was left in tears in what turned out to be the final game of the match.

After reaching the China Open semifinals last year, Badosa will now drop 325 ranking points and fall outside the top 20 of the WTA rankings.

Paula Badosa has retired six times in the last two years

Despite having to miss the entire North American hard court swing, Badosa has still played 14 tournaments this year.

However, three of these tournaments have ended in retirement, making it six for the past two years.

Half of these retirements have been related to the ongoing back injury, with two connected to her left thigh and one being due to illness.

It is unclear as to how severe this latest setback will be for Badosa, as she is still entered to play two tournaments in China.

The first of those is at the Wuhan Open, which Badosa missed last year, and then the Ningbo Open, where she will be defending 195 points from reaching the semifinals in 2024.