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Ex-world number two Paula Badosa has revealed she will continue to ‘keep fighting’ for her tennis career.

The 26-year-old was told by doctors ‘it would be complicated’ for her to continue participating in her beloved sport due to a stress fracture in her back, sustained last year. Badosa was informed that she might need to rely on cortisone injections to alleviate her pain and continue competing. 

She acknowledges experiencing numerous challenging moments as she grapples with accepting the medical guidance provided to her. The Spaniard has also expressed her determination to continue playing as she gears up to compete at the Madrid Open.

"I cried a lot and I'm still crying sometimes when I hear that and when I have talks with the doctors," she said ahead of her first-round match.

"But at the same time, I have this personality, this character that it's like, 'I will still get through it, I will still keep fighting'. I'm like that, I'm a little bit stubborn. But I think maybe that in this case can help."

Badosa was forced to retired from the German Open last week. GETTY IMAGES
Badosa was forced to retired from the German Open last week. GETTY IMAGES

In addition to seeking advice from medical professionals, Badosa has reached out to several fellow tennis players, such as Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, and Bianca Andreescu, who have experienced similar injuries, seeking support and encouragement.

"Sometimes you just don't want to accept what the doctor says and you're like, 'For sure they're making a mistake'. I just try to stay positive. There are some days that I wake up and I'm not feeling that well and I ask myself, 'Is this worth it?'."

Badosa, who missed all of last year's matches following her withdrawal from Wimbledon in July due to the injury, was compelled to withdraw from her second-round match against Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart last week due to a minor adductor tear. However, she had taken the world number two to a deciding set, with the players evenly matched up until that point.

As well as Wimbledon, she missed three out of the four Grand Slam tournaments due to a back injury, and this year, she has dropped out of the top 100 rankings.



"It's the level that you want to be at, that fighter again. So even though I didn't win in that moment, for moments like that I will keep fighting," she said. 

Despite her ongoing injury battle, Badosa is still aiming of a return to the top 10. "I think what's making me fight every day is the love that I have for this sport. I always had this goal to be one of the best in the world and to win tournaments and face the big players. That's why I'm here.

"So for me being able to play three, four more years would be amazing, and of course this year to play the full year, and achieve the highest ranking possible. I don't like to put numbers, but I would like to be top 30, and top 10 again would be amazing, but I think top 10 this year is too much after all.

"Maybe in a year or a year and a half, I would like to be back there." Badosa is dedicating four hours every day to treatment to ensure her readiness for the upcoming matches in Madrid.