Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa make bold French Open move – and aren’t the only couple to do so
Roland Garros has been a happy hunting ground for Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa this fortnight.
Greek star Tsitsipas is the ninth seed in the men’s draw and expectations are high, with the 2021 runner-up predicted by some to claim a first major title at the French Open.
While Badosa, after huge injury struggles over the past 15 months, picked up a first French Open win since 2022 thanks to a battling display over 26th seed Katie Boulter on Tuesday.
‘Tsitsidosa’ have found success on the court and things are on the up for the two off the court, with the tennis super couple back together – after an initial split shortly before the Italian Open.
And the two are marking their reunion in a very intriguing way.
Read More: Paula Badosa opens up on Stefanos Tsitsipas reunion and admits relationship is ‘not easy’
All eyes on mixed doubles
Neither of the two are strangers to playing doubles, particularly Tsitsipas – who is targeting an Olympic spot alongside younger brother Petros at the Paris 2024 Games this summer.
Though he and Badosa are now set to unite on court for the first time, with the pairing handed a Wildcard into the mixed doubles draw at Roland Garros.
Tsitsipas and Badosa were meant to play together at Wimbledon last year, though eventually withdrew due to the Spaniard’s injury issues.
But, almost 12 months later, the world will finally get a glimpse of the pairing on court.
It may be a short-lived campaign, with Tsitsipas and Badosa handed a tough draw against Ena Shibahara and Nathaniel Lammons.
And, should they win that, they could face second seeds Laura Siegemund and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in round two.
Paula Badosa completes the comeback against Boulter #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/cnwIhapFiT
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 28, 2024
Couple’s choice
Tsitsidosa are not the only real-life tennis couple to bring an off-court partnership onto the court.
French stars Ugo Humbert and Tessah Andrianjafitrimo – who have been together for multiple years – are also playing mixed at their home major.
National No 1 Humbert will be looking to bounce back after an early singles exit, while Andrianjafitrimo is kickstarting her comeback from long-term injury issues.
However, they have the toughest of draws, against top seeds Ellen Perez and Matt Ebden.
Perhaps in with a better chance are Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac, the Czech pairing playing mixed together after a three-year relationship
Siniakova and Machac also face seeded opponents in the form of seventh seeds Hsieh Su-wei and Jan Zielinski – though Siniakova is a doubles great, with seven Slams and the world No. 1 ranking in her locker.
The mixed doubles event is set to start later this week.
