The 2025 Madrid Open is set to be a classic as the stars of the WTA Tour battle it out for supremacy in the Spanish capital.
Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Aryna Sabalenka shared the first four WTA 1000 titles of the year, showcasing their talents on hard courts.
Moving onto the clay for this week’s Madrid Open, several other big names could be in with a chance of success, none more so than defending champion, Iga Swiatek.
The 23-year-old has won four WTA 1000 titles on clay courts and beat world number one and her biggest rival, Sabalenka, in last year’s final.
One of Swiatek’s fellow top-ten stars has now updated fans on her condition ahead of her return from injury in Madrid.
Paula Badosa says she ‘had trouble walking’ while injured as she prepares for Madrid Open return
Speaking to the media ahead of her return to action at the Madrid Open, world number nine Paula Badosa shared how she is feeling physically, having last appeared in Miami one month ago.
“I would be lying if I said I was in top form. I’m recovering,” she said.
“It’s perhaps been one of the hardest times to recover because the injury is totally different this time from what I’ve been through [before].
“It was something that was getting on my nerves, so what I’m saying is that it’s been totally different because I felt terrible in normal life.
“I was constantly in pain, I had trouble sleeping, I had trouble walking, so it’s been very hard.”
Badosa withdrew from the Miami Open due to injury ahead of her quarterfinal match, before skipping the Charleston Open with the same problem.
Preparing to return at her home tournament, the Spaniard revealed just how difficult the recovery process has been.
“I’ve had a couple of injections, the first one didn’t respond well, the second one so far it seems to be going very well, but every morning I wake up, I wake up scared,” said Badosa.
“At the moment, the feedback has been very good, positive, and at least I can train, I’m training, I’m getting in shape, I’m recovering.
“I’m happy because at least I’m not constantly suffering anymore.”
Paula Badosa picks the attribute she’d take from Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff
After being asked several questions about her latest injury, Badosa was given the task of picking the attribute she’d like to take from another player on the WTA Tour.
“To have the speed of Iga [Swiatek] or Coco [Gauff] I would obviously like,” said Badosa.
“I am a bigger player who is stronger and more explosive, but perhaps in terms of mobility, I don’t move as fast as those who are shorter or more agile.
“If I could reach the balls like they do with my power, I think it would be perfect.”
Badosa may not be as quick as Gauff or Swiatek, but that’s not to say she hasn’t enjoyed her fair share of success against the pair, as she leads the combined head-to-head, 5-4.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 Australian Open – QF | Paula Badosa | Coco Gauff | 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2024 Beijing – SF | Coco Gauff | Paula Badosa | 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2024 Italian Open – 4R | Coco Gauff | Paula Badosa | 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 |
| 2023 Madrid Open – 3R | Paula Badosa | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 6-0 |
| 2022 San Jose – QF | Paula Badosa | Coco Gauff | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2022 Qatar Open – 3R | Coco Gauff | Paula Badosa | 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2021 WTA Finals – RR | Iga Swiatek | Paula Badosa | 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2021 Olympics – 2R | Paula Badosa | Iga Swiatek | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2021 Indian Wells – 3R | Paula Badosa | Coco Gauff | 6-2, 6-2 |
In their last outing, Badosa beat Gauff at the Australian Open, as she qualified for her first-career Major semi-final.
Only time will tell who will come out on top when Badosa next faces off against Gauff or Swiatek.
Badosa will begin her 2025 Madrid Open campaign against either Veronika Kudermetova or Polina Kudermetova on Friday, April 25.
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