Spanish player Paula Badosa arrived at Wimbledon dealing with back problems that ultimately led to her withdrawal after a second round defeat to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, a match that ended 6-1 and 1-0 in the scoreline before her retreat from the court.
Relating to
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Carlos Alcaraz is set to open Wimbledon center this Friday
Heading into the event, Badosa faced a stretch of nonessential errors that reflected the overall challenge of the match. The consensus commentary suggested her physical issues were a dominant factor in the outcome, with the team aiming to manage recovery time and prepare for future grass court appearances. The focus remained on keeping strain minimal and ensuring solid groundwork for a potential return to competition at the earliest suitable moment.
Pain everywhere
After dropping the opening set, the momentum shifted as the player sought support from the medical team. The decision to retire came after hopes of a turnaround were thwarted by ongoing issues, ultimately ending her participation in the tournament sooner than expected.
In doubles action, the Spaniard continued to compete alongside Stefanos Tsitsipas, a pairing that drew attention in the lead up to the match. They watched the English duel from the stands earlier, while another late night session kept fans engaged for the reasons of the tournament and its evolving storyline.
Past problems
At the WTA level, the Spanish player has faced a career marked by a few notable retirements. The latest setback contributed to a second Grand Slam exit in the current cycle following a hiatus after Roland Garros in 2022, underscoring the ongoing challenges she has navigated on the circuit.