Nothing matches the vibe when you’re done and dusted for the season, knowing you did better than anticipated. Paula Badosa can relate. Only this time, she found it prudent to showcase her dancing skills to fans.

Marred with physical restraints, Badosa endured an extensive injury hiatus in 2023. She rectified those concerns, but chances for an early retirement loomed as she couldn’t cope with the tour-level competitiveness. However, Badosa started showing her true colors this year. Following a ‘mid’ conclusion to the season’s first half, the Spaniard jetted for the North American hardcourt swing where she stunned fans.

Badosa lifted her fourth career Hologic WTA Tour title, third on hard courts and first since Sydney 2022 at the Citi Open after outclassing Marie Bouzkova in the summit clash. She wasn’t done. She landed in Cincinnati with similar aspirations but, unfortunately, couldn’t move past the last four after finalist Jessica Pegula showed her the door. The 27-year-old flaunted her impressive form in New York and finished quarterfinal at the US Open. With laudable results as such, naturally, Badosa was bound to enjoy her time off and spend quality moments with friends and family back home.

In an Instagram story, dated December 8th, the Spanish star uploaded a video wherein she energetically bounced to songs alongside Carlos Silvestre, a tennis player from Venezuela. The jam session was likely recorded in her house as the duo was seen enjoying the musical beats in the living room with the songs playing on the TV in the background. “Let’s go for Sunday,” read her story. Simultaneouly, Silvestre reposted the video on his social and wrote “dance classes”. (Both the texts translated from Spanish).

After the year-end Grand Slam, not everything went according to plan for Badosa. After concluding her China Open campaign, the Spaniard was accused of racism row. Not only did she face backlash for intimidating Chinese people, but, recently, the WTA issued a stern warning for her actions.

Paula Badosa receives a warning from WTA over insensitive gesture during the Asian swing

Spanish superstar Paula Badosa had to bear through a rough patch following the conclusion of her China Open run. Controversy flared up when her coach posted a photo of where she was pulling her eyes back with chopsticks. This enraged fans who accused the Spaniard of racism and intimidating Asian people. She issued an apology following the incident, saying: “Really sorry didn’t know this was offensive towards racism. My mistake. I take full responsibility.” However, that wasn’t the end of it.

Two months after the incident, Badosa was seemingly warned by the WTA in a statement that read: “Objectionable content of any kind relating to the culture, history, or offensive stereotypes of a particular population or country is not consistent with the values ​​that the WTA represents and will not be tolerated. Tournaments and countries host us as their guests at considerable effort and expense, and it is of the utmost importance that we respect the local culture of the regions in which we compete, which makes our global Tour a success.”

With no touring commitments in sight, Badosa will recoup and prepare for the 2025 season. The Spaniard will be next seen in action at the season-commencing Australian hardcourt swing in January.