Tsitsidosa have tried to become a mixed-doubles couple many times. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa recently reconciled and revived their dream of playing mixed doubles. The pair has stated their desire of playing mixed-doubles many times, but it has never come to fruition. Their plan went up in flames once again during the ongoing French Open.

Tsitsipas and Badosa announced their plans to enter the mixed-doubles division days ago. The two were set to make their grand slam debut on the Greek’s favorite surface. However, they withdrew from mixed doubles hours before their first clash. The news was shared by The Tennis Letter on their ‘X’ page, “Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas withdraw from mixed doubles at Roland Garros. The Tsitsidosa Grand Slam mixed doubles debut put on hold again.”

The couple was supposed to be up against Ena Shibahara and Nathaniel Lammons but withdrew on the day of the match. No reason has been given so far.

Tsitsipas and Badosa’s previous attempt at a grand slam mixed-doubles competition was the 2023 Wimbledon. However, that bout was canceled hours before it began as well. Although the two withdrew, a couple entered for mixed doubles in the ongoing slam. Tomas Machac and Kateřina Siniaková had their second appearance in the French Open as a couple who played together.

However, they were eliminated in the first round. The two, who have been together since 2021, also competed in the 2024 Australian Open. Tsitsipas and Badosa found their way back to each other earlier in May, not long after their split, but their doubles plans are still on hold. With two appearances from Machac and Siniakova, one might wonder why Tsitsipas and Badosa are avoiding playing mixed doubles.

What could be holding Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa back?

Both players had announced their plans to play mixed doubles in Roland-Garros. However, their withdrawal shows that they either have to work out some kinks in their partnership or need to work out boundaries with tennis and themselves. After Tsitsipas announced that the two were back together, Badosa claimed “I think one of the things that, um, I didn’t like, or we didn’t like, is that it was very uh public.” 

If the two had played the mixed-doubles match together, the tennis media would have involved itself even more with their relationship. Therefore, despite their confirmation, they dropped out at the last moment to work on their bond. While this can be a reason, there is another reason that is much simpler. 

Tsitsipas is set to face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinal and wants to ensure he is ready for the challenge. Facing Alcaraz on any surface is a gigantic task, and being even slightly fatigued will worsen his performance. What do you think could be the reason behind their withdrawal?