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Paula Badosa has pulled out of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells due to injury concerns. This decision comes just a day after she played mixed doubles with her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Eisenhower Cup, a one-day Tie Break Tens event.
Badosa returned to competitive tennis in the 2024 season at the Adelaide International after a prolonged back injury hiatus that dates back to Wimbledon 2023. She had played five tournaments this season before withdrawing from the WTA 1000 tournament in California, where she was a former champion (2021).
The Spaniard was scheduled to play against Ashlyn Krueger in the opening round on March 6, having received a wild card. However, she withdrew just moments before her match against the American, giving qualifier Nadia Podoroska a free pass to the main draw.
Paula Badosa took to her Instagram Stories later to share how disappointed she was to turn her back on her "favorite tournament." She said that she had tried her best to compete, but unfortunately, her ongoing struggle with injuries prevented her from doing so.
"So sorry I have to withdraw from my favorite tournament. I tried everything to be able to play but wasn't enough. I'm having a very difficult time with my injury but I'm fighting everyday to comeback as soon as possible," Badosa wrote.
The former World No. 2 expressed gratitude to her fans for their support during the recent challenging months, despite having to share mostly bad news. She also thanked Indian Wells organizers for granting her a wild card.
"I wanna thank the fans that are sticking with me, specially this past year. I'm sorry I haven't given what you are expecting from me and I'm just giving you sad news lately. (Trust me is the last thing I want also)," Paula Badosa wrote.
"I also want to thank the tournament for the WC, you are the best tournament in the world see you next year. Hopefully soon the tears will be tears of joy again," she added.
A look into Paula Badosa's Indian Wells 2021 title win
Paula Badosa won her maiden WTA 1000 title at the 2021 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, which is also the biggest victory of her career so far.
Badosa advanced to the quarterfinals in California in 2021 after defeating Dayana Yastremska, Coco Gauff and Barbora Krejcikova in the initial rounds, having received a first-round bye.
The Spaniard then defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber and Ons Jabeur before overcoming former tournament champion Victoria Azarenka to lift the trophy.
