After Recent Success, Paula Badosa Parts Ways with Coach Ahead of US Open 2021

Tennis this season has been more than just eventful; courtesy of back-to-back thrilling action, fans have loved every bit of the fun and games. However, obviously not all the players have relished the surprise defeats and unbelievable exits. Paula Badosa, the Spanish international was victim of such a surprising outing recently. Although, even more astonishing news came from the athlete’s camp off-court.

23-year-old Paula Badosa returned to Grand Slam tennis on the back of an unfortunate campaign at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In her comeback match, she faced Canada’s homegirl, Rebecca Marino. Fans were treated to some breathtaking tennis as the two giants locked horns. However, what followed the match was more surprising than the game itself. After 11 months together, Paula split ties with her coach Javier Marti.

Nothing but gratitude from Paula Badosa

Alongside Javier, Paula played some of the best tennis in her career so far. With him she won her first WTA title in Belgrade and recorded her career highlight performance at the 2019 Roland Garros. She credited her now ex-coach for his contribution in her career and was all praise even as they parted ways.

She said, “Javi has helped me at a very important moment in my career. He has managed to transmit me the calm necessary to find my way again and it is something that I will always be grateful for. I am very grateful for all the work we have done together ” 

Paula’s decision might be forced by her recent events but is definitely a step forward, looking ahead towards the US Open. Opening up about her decision, she added, “My goal is to maintain the competitive order that I have achieved in recent months. I will try to compete at the highest level until the end of the season, proving to myself that I can push myself 100% in each week of competition. It is a clear step forward that I have taken in this time and that I wish to be able to consolidate in the future.” 

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Back-to-back Disappointment

Undoubtedly, Paula has had a somewhat remarkable season so far. Playing in sublime and surreal form, she made it to the quarterfinals of both the French Open and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, while her opponent got the better of her in Paris, it was the heatwave that came out victorious in Tokyo. The young Spaniard left the arena in a wheelchair, forcefully retiring from the tournament.

Given the events of the past weeks, fans were ecstatic to see her back in action. Her first set performance got her fans excited again as she won 6-1. However, she couldn’t keep up that intensity and bowed out of the tournament. Paula lost her first-round clash against Rebbeca Marino 6-1, 5-7, 4-6.

Regardless, her caliber this season has made her one to look out for. Before heading to the US Open, she will make a pit stop in Cincinnati at the Western and Southern Open. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Paula can regain her lost form or if she faces disappointment yet again.

Read more: “Change of Thrones”: Stefanos Tsitsipas On Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s Absence Ahead of US Open 2021