It has been 10 months since Paula Badosa was informed by her doctors that her career may be over. During the 2023 season, not long after she had stood as the No 2 player in the world, Badosa suffered a stress fracture in her back that had left her in significant pain and forced her to withdraw from every grand slamthat year. By last March, the 27-year-old was fighting for her future.
The initial resolution was cortisone injections to manage the immediate pain and inflammation, allowing her to return to the tour even though her long-term future remained uncertain. She has used her time back well. Having spent the past nine months faithfully re-establishing her place among the elite, Badosa broke new ground on Tuesday by reaching the semi-final of a grand slam for the first time.
