LONDON: The Stefanos Tsitsipas-Paula Badosa romance blossomed in Rome a couple of months ago when the Greek world No. 5 congratulated the Spaniard for her victory over Ons Jabeur in the second round. It started with a text message.
Badosa, 25, ranked No. 2 in the world some 15 months ago, has struggled with injuries this season. The New York-born pro, whose parents Mireira Gibert Baro and Josep Badosa worked in the fashion industry, pulled out of the Australian Open with an abductor injury in January. She then withdrew from the French Open with a stress fracture of the lower back.
