Paula Badosa wasn’t able to finish her Merida quarterfinal match and the concerning thing is that her back injury forced her to retire the clash.
Early in her match against Daria Saville, the No. 2 seed looked great and dominated the first set with a 6-1 scoreline.
Also, the Spaniard was the first to get a break in the second set in the fifth game.
But then, Badosa got broken back and Saville also won the seventh game to go 4-3 up.
Moments later, a trainer came out for this year’s Australian Open semifinalist.
While the 27-year-old continued the match, she didn’t stay on the court for much longer as she lost the eighth game and then went to the net to shake the rival’s hand.
Why Badosa’s retirement in Merida is concerning?
Last April, the former world No. 2 revealed that her lingering back injury was a chronic issue and that she was advised by the doctors to end her career.
However, she was also offered a new treatment – which she accepted.
“In Indian Wells, the doctors told me it would be very complicated to continue my career,” Badosa said at the time.
“As she begged them for a solution, the doctors suggested regular cortisone shots to manage the pain.
“They said this is the only option we can give you and maybe you will have to keep doing that if you want to play for a few more years.
“I said, ‘A few more years? I’m still 26.’ For me that was very tough.
“So far, the injections are working. “The pain is always there, but there were times I couldn’t even handle it.”
The new treatment started working out fine for Badosa and she didn’t really have any serious issues with her back until now.
It remains to be seen if this injury will force the world No. 11 to miss next week’s WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells.
Tennis World USA