The relationship between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa has attracted the attention of fans and media since its inception. There are those who were thrilled with their union. Others criticized the two tennis players.
Jimmy Connors believes that Stefanos Tsitsipas needs to learn to better manage his relationship with Paula Badosa at times. The former American player explained that life cannot always be oriented only towards tennis, but that an athlete’s career is not so long that he can afford to generate some regrets.
“Life is life and there are many other things to do besides playing tennis. But you have to remember that that is your life at that moment and it doesn’t last forever. So you have to try to concentrate on your business.
Relationships are important, as is family. You have to adapt to all this. This is not a physical issue but a mental one. I’m sure Tsitsipas will fix all this. It seems like he’s clarified some things now considering the success he’s had in the last couple of weeks,” explained Connors.
Paula Badosa © Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
According to what the eight-time Slam champion declared on his Advantage Connors podcast, Tsitsipas is now finding greater balance as demonstrated by the results achieved in recent weeks. The Greek won the ATP Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo and reached the final at the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona. In both cases he faced Casper Ruud.
In Monte Carlo he clearly imposed himself, while on the Catalan clay he probably suffered a bit of physical tiredness after playing so many hard-fought and long matches. The Norwegian, for his part, won the most important title of his career and sent a clear message in view of the next important events on clay.
Tsitsipas will return to the courtalready at the Masters 1000 in Madrid and will challenge Dusan Lajovic on his debut, the opponent he defeated in the semi-final in Barcelona, or one of the qualifiers.
Paula Badosa © Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Speaking on the eve of the Barcelona semi-final, Tsitsipas had released some very interesting words about his last months on the Tour.
“I have to stay calm, I have to avoid thinking that it’s an important moment, stay focused on the point. All these things are important to keep your mind positive. I’ve faced situations like this multiple times in my career.
To be able to get out of that situation and then win the match is pure happiness. It was one of the most suspenseful clay court matches in recent years. It was a thriller. I imagined that if it had reached five sets, it would have been a repeat of the one with Stan Wawrinka in 2019 at Roland Garros.
Diaz Acosta played very well and his movements were incredible. He is a tennis player who reads the match very well, I am sure that he will achieve important results,” he told.
Regarding his resurgence on clay, Tsitsipas said: “It’s good to play at this level of tennis. In the last few months it hasn’t been so good, so I’m getting to a point where I feel like I can achieve more things. I feel like my tennis it’s more effective on these courts than on hard courts. Barcelona is a great tournament, there are many other important ones coming up but now I’ll try to concentrate here.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport
Paula Badosa: “The doctors told me that it is complicated to continue my career”
Paula Badosa explained her situation well by revealing some sad background on the WTA Insider Podcast. The 26-year-old’s career, according to her statements, is constantly at risk.
In fact, Badosa revealed the talks he held with doctors in California last March.
“I think what keeps me fighting every day is the love I have for this sport. I have always had this goal: to be one of the best in the world, win tournaments and face great opponents. That’s why I’m here. After examining some of my tests in March at Indian Wells, the doctors told me that it is complicated to continue my career.
After I begged them to give me a solution, they advised me to take regular cortisone injections. They told me it’s the only way if I want to continue for a few years. A few years? I told him I’m 26. It was really tough. However the injections work. The pain is there and there are times I can’t stand it. For me, being able to play another three or four years would be amazing,” she said.
Injuries are unfortunately playing a decisive role in Paula’s career. Just two years ago, the Spaniard had reached her best ranking, becoming the new number two in the world. She won three tournaments on the WTA Tour between 2021 and 2022, including the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells.
The most limiting physical problem is certainly the back problem, linked to a bad stress fracture.
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