Badosa Roars Back in Brisbane
Paula Badosa launches her 2026 comeback in Brisbane, shaking off a injury-riddled 2025 to chase rankings glory on the Australian hard courts.
Paula Badosa plants her feet on the Brisbane hard courts, the humid air thick with possibility as she unleashes a forehand that skims the line. After a 2025 season derailed by back issues that confined her to just two matches following Wimbledon, the Spaniard enters this Australian swing renewed. Dropping from No. 12 to No. 25 in the PIF WTA Rankings, she treats her extended preseason—the longest of her career—as a clean slate, rebuilding strength to sustain the grind ahead.
Her first singles outing against Marie Bouzkova tests that resolve early. Bouzkova claims the opening set in a tiebreaker, her steady returns pinning Badosa back and exposing tentative footwork. But the 28-year-old rallies, shortening rallies with slice approaches in the second set for a 6-4 edge, then overwhelms the decider 6-2 using crosscourt lasers that signal her power’s return. it’s a Round of 32 statement, blending tactical poise with raw emotion.
“It was very intense,” the 28-year-old says. “I remember starting at the beginning, and I was like, ‘Woah, this is gonna be a lot.' There are gonna be some frustrating parts, maybe sometimes you’re thinking you want to quit, but then you want to keep fighting.”
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Forging resilience through preseason fire
Badosa’s offseason grind addresses the fitness lapses that exacerbated her injuries, pushing her through sessions that tested every limit. She emerges with quicker recovery, her heavy topspin now layered over improved endurance for the medium-paced Brisbane surface. This mental reset transforms doubt into drive, positioning her to navigate the season’s demands without the shadows of last year.
Excitement tempers the nerves as she steps into competition after months of limited play. The emotional pull sharpens her focus, turning vulnerability into a weapon on these courts where the ball grips just enough for her aggressive baseline game.
“I’m always the person that plays with excitement,” she says, “but also with a lot of nerves because I care. I’m just very emotional. But I’m really looking forward to it.”
Doubles reunion sharpens her edge
Two days before singles, Badosa eases in with doubles alongside World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, grinding out a 7-6(2), 7-6(3) win over Zhang Shuai and Liudmila Samsonova. The pairing blends their styles—Badosa’s all-court flair complementing Sabalenka’s flat groundstrokes—while the strategic choice reacquaints her with match tempo. Off-court friendship adds levity, their shared rotations building confidence amid the tiebreak tension.
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Lessons flow naturally from the four-time Grand Slam champion, fueling Badosa’s inexhaustible ethic. On courts that reward net approaches, she hones poaching instincts, her serve-volley forays syncing with Sabalenka’s returns to disrupt opponents’ rhythm.
“We both enjoy each other,” she says. “Playing together, training together, spending time together. I really enjoy being next to her. I also learn from her. At the end of the day, she’s No. 1 in the world. it’s the best way to start the year.”
Chasing health and elite contention
Health tops Badosa’s 2026 priorities, a full season unlocking her path back to the top with few early points to defend. The second half lies open, her low-defend slate offering quick climbs if consistency holds. Brisbane’s conditions suit her, the atmosphere igniting that early-year spark she channeled into a WTA 500 Sydney Tennis Classic title in 2022.
Next comes Elena Rybakina, the 2025 WTA Finals champion on a 12-match streak, in a head-to-head even at 4-4—though the Kazakh has taken the last three. Badosa eyes disruption with looped topspin to counter Rybakina’s flats, mixing inside-out forehands to jam returns on this grippy surface. Precision in her 1–2 patterns could tilt the rubber match, testing her rebuilt depth against booming serves.
Adelaide’s WTA 500 follows, its quicker pace refining transitions before Melbourne, where she defends Australian Open semifinal points from last year. The crowd’s roar and Plexicushion bounce amplify her power, but focus stays on the present—each rally layering resolve.
“I love the conditions,” Badosa says. “I love the atmosphere that’s created every time you play a match here. Plus, the excitement of being in the preseason and then coming back on tour and starting the year.”
If health endures, her ceiling soars among the elite.
“If that goes well,” she says, “my goals are always going to be big. I consider myself [to] belong with the best players in the world.”
The Brisbane heat mirrors the pressure, yet Badosa advances, her arc poised for resurgence on the Australian swing.
