Paula Badosa reveals support from Rafael Nadal – ‘he gave me advice’
Paula Badosa has revealed that Rafael Nadal gave her “advice” during her injury struggles as she discussed how she planned to pay tribute to her compatriot.
Nadal announced earlier this month that he would retire from tennis at the Davis Cup Finals next month, held on home soil in Malaga.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion and former world No 1 has been the flagbearer for Spanish tennis throughout his career, leading the way for a new generation of stars.
Among those to follow in his footsteps is Badosa, a former world No 2 and four-time winner on the WTA Tour.
Much like Nadal, who has suffered multiple injuries across his career. Badosa knows all too well the physical struggles a tennis player can face
The 26-year-old fell out of the top 100 earlier this year due to a persistent back issue, and revealed earlier this season she may only have two to three years left of her playing career.
Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE, Badosa opened up about the support Nadal had given her – and her plans to pay tribute to the retiring great.
“He’s always been a person who has helped me a lot,” she said.
“When I was injured, during my recovery, he gave me advice, he was always there.
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“Obviously I thought about sending him a message since his statement, but I also wanted to leave him alone because I know it’s a very intense moment and I don’t like to invade spaces.
“I’m going to wait a little, but obviously I’m going to get in touch when the time comes and I’ll thank him again for what he’s done for me.”
Nadal has rarely played in 2024, and has not played an official event since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games back in early August.
The 38-year-old skipped the US Open towards the end of the summer and also missed the Laver Cup, before playing two matches at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh.
Nadal features in the Davis Cup Finals squad under the guidance of captain David Ferrer, with Carlos Alcaraz among those in the team looking to regain the title Spain last won in 2019.
Meanwhile, Badosa is also set to be in action for Spain in Malaga next month, competing in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
The national No 1 will prove crucial for her nation’s chances, having defied her injury issues to surge back into form this summer.
She is back up to world No 14 in the rankings after a spell that has seen her lift the title in Washington, reach the US Open quarter-final, and the last four of the China Open.
