“It is very inspiring to see how tennis players who have just become mothers in two months are at their best,” said Paula Badosa admiring fellow tennis moms who are smashing it just months after giving birth—talk about inspiration! That‘s certainly no easy task, wouldn’t you agree? After overcoming a pesky lower back injury that sidelined her for a bit, the Spaniard is back in the game and making waves.

Although her runs at the Brisbane and Adelaide Internationals were cut short, she dazzled at the Australian Open, reaching the semifinals before falling to her bestie, Aryna Sabalenka. With nearly a decade on the pro circuit, the big question is: what does the future hold for Paula? On Sunday, speaking to the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Badosa opened up about her journey in tennis. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in April 2022 but has faced intense mental challenges, injuries, and pressure.

Currently ranked No. 10, Badosa has won four WTA Tour titles, including the prestigious Indian Wells Masters in 2021. When asked about retirement, she candidly said, “Look, I have one problem on this. I would play forever. Of course, my body won’t respond. But then I really want to become a mom. So, that’s me…trying to find that balance, because would play until I’m 40 if I could.”

Badosa’s body has taken a beating over the past few years. In 2023, she battled a stress fracture in her lower back that seriously affected her game and mental health. Additionally, she also dealt with inflammation in her spine’s facet joints, which made training a real challenge. Just when things seemed to improve, she had to retire from a match at the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix due to a minor adductor tear. Despite these setbacks, the Spaniard remains focused on her goals.

“But then I want to become a mom so that’s something that is really important. I have that mother instinct,” she added. “I really don’t know; I think when I feel it or when I see the moment. But for now, I want to play for years.” This isn’t the first time she’s expressed her desire for motherhood. In ‘My Journey: Paula Badosa,’ she reflected on feeling maternal instincts early on, especially as she took on a second-mother role for her younger sister Jana, who is 15 years old. Let’s have a look at the front!

Paula Badosa on why she felt like a second mother to her sister

In her documentary series with the WTA in 2023, Paula shared her deep bond with her younger sister, Jana. “My younger sister, she’s 15 years old. Her name is Jana. We have a 10-year difference so I always felt that, of course, I’m her older sister but at the same time, I always felt like I had to be her second mom,” she explained.

Badosa expressed her protective instincts, saying, “I protect her so much, especially the role I’m playing right now with her. It’s financially; I’m helping her. Her dream was always to come to the US, to study, to learn English. Her maturity is growing so fast thanks to that, so I’m very proud of her.”

Badosa’s commitment to Jana is evident as she supports her sister’s aspirations while maintaining a close relationship. “She’s the most important person in my life. So I would do anything for her. I just want her to have an opportunity to do whatever she wants or her dream. I had my opportunity to make my dream come true, so I just want that for her,” she added. This nurturing role has allowed them to bond even more deeply over the years.

Currently competing at the Abu Dhabi Open alongside players like Elena Rybakina and Emma Raducanu, Badosa remains optimistic about her performance while balancing her family responsibilities. She’s pretty optimistic about her chances going forward. What do you think about this? Share your thoughts with us below!