“This place warmed our hearts and filled our buckets,” Spanish athlete Paula Badosa reflects. Her words are brimming with the quiet strength she has found off the court recently. For the WTA number 12 player, her Icelandic vacation wasn’t just an escape. It was a reminder of the bond that fuels her entire journey. “He’s been there in almost all my bad moments,” she says of her beau Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose intense support steadies Badosa in life and work. And the Spaniard steps into a new season, carrying the spark of those moments, one question leaves the fraternity intrigued: can this off-court connection finally spark her greatest on-court triumphs this season?

Badosa’s off-season was a much-needed escape, and she spent it with her beau Stefanos Tsitsipas on a romantic Scandinavian getaway. The Spanish player had closed her 2024 season early after withdrawing from the Ningbo Open semifinals for medical reasons and also skipping the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Seeking serenity after a demanding season, Badosa chose Eleven Deplar Farm in Iceland’s Troll Peninsula for her retreat. The couple, affectionately dubbed ‘Tsitsidosa’, embraced Iceland’s natural beauty with snowshoeing, horseback riding, and whale watching. They explored the Eyjafjodur, Iceland’s longest fjord, and later ventured to Reykjavik for cultural and culinary delights, including a visit to geothermal springs and a volcanic bread-baking experience. “It was a totally unique holiday for me,” Badosa reflected. “The cold weather, fun activities, and his presence made it all worthwhile. We always have fun together.”  And the time off seems to have done the trick.

Back on the court, Badosa’s refreshed mindset was evident as she claimed an opening-round victory at the 2025 Australian Open against Wang Xinyu. A post-match conversation turned to a lighthearted memory from Iceland, where she and her Greek boyfriend, laughing and tumbling through the snow, brought immense happiness to the fraternity. When asked about Tsitsipas’ support, Badosa highlighted how deeply she values his presence. “He always supports me so much and is always there for me. We give each other advice, and it’s inspiring to have someone so talented to lean on.”

This isn’t the first time the Spaniard has praised her ATP star boyfriend’s support. In a candid interview with Alex Corretja, she recounted a challenging period in her career when she considered quitting. “I told him I thought I’d stop, and he looked at me like I was crazy and said, ‘You’ll be in the top 10 again soon.’ He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

The smitten couple have been dating since 2023 – with a brief period of separation last year. Eventually, it seems, they got back stronger! And while their relationship flourishes, they navigate challenges like cultural and linguistic differences. The couple is learning each other’s native languages, though Badosa playfully hinted that her boyfriend may not excel in Spanish just yet.

Paula Badosa takes a dig at Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Spanish skills while decoding their relationship

In an interview with Eurosport last November, Badosa talked about the communication gap in their relationship. Although she praised Tsitsipas for trying to learn her language, she also explained how the ATP star had failed miserably. Laughing at Tsitsipas’ poor Spanish skills, Badosa confessed to pressuring him into travelling with a Spanish coach on tour. “He is not doing well. He has surprised me badly. I have told him off. And he has asked me for Greek! I am putting pressure on him. He says that next year he is going to travel with a teacher who speaks Spanish to him,” she said.

Despite their challenges, Badosa highlighted how they complement each other through their likes and hobbies: “It’s a mix of everything. He also loves photography and I love posing. He likes to joke around and have fun on social media. It’s a very nice relationship.” The WTA star further explained that they might speak different languages but they don’t have any communication gap. “We understand each other well. We’re dedicated to the same thing. We have the same goals. We have a very healthy relationship, and it’s not easy because we’re two athletes…” she claimed.

But how did they achieve such a perfect bond? Badosa answers that question with grace and insight as well. “You have to be very aware of your own thing, but we’re able to empathize and listen to each other, which isn’t easy when you’re dedicated to an individual sport,” she concluded. Paula Badosa’s revelations about her boyfriend’s support melted the fraternity’s heart. Along with their individual career goals, the couple inspired others with their commitment to love and relationship, highlighting how only genuine effort connects two very busy people.