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Paula Badosa is again dealing with a back injury as the Spaniard was forced to retire mid-match in her Hua Hin round-of-16 clash.
On Wednesday, former world No. 2 Badosa was down by a set but up 4-3 in the second set when she went to the net and shook Diana Shnaider's hand. In the last few games, Badosa was evidently struggling with something as she was limping on the court.
Last May in Rome, Badosa suffered a spinal stress fracture and appeared in just one more tournament in the remainder of 2023. After basically missing the entire second half of the 2023 season, Badosa returned to action at the start of this season. Unfortunately, a month into her comeback and Badosa is again dealing with a back injury.
"Unfortunately, Paula Badosa had to retire due to a lower back injury. Get well soon, @paulabadosa!" the tournament posted on its Instagram account.
Badosa was down by a set when she retired to Shnaider
Badosa, who was unseeded in Hua Hin, routinely served out her opening two games and led 2-1 through the first three games of the match. After two routine service games, Badosa suffered back-to-back breaks in the fifth and seventh games as Shnaider took a 5-2 lead.
Down by a double break, Badosa had her first break point in the eighth game - but didn't convert it. After saving Badosa's break point, Shnaider earned her first set point and realized it to win the opener with a 6-2 scoreline.
After losing the first set, Badosa saved a total of two break points in the first and third games of the second set. Then, Badosa collected her first break of the match to open a 3-1 lead before saving another break point in the fifth game to go 4-1 up in the second set.
Shnaider responded by winning the next two games and that was the moment when Badosa - limping on the court - decided that was it.
It remains to be seen if this is something serious and when Badosa will be able to return to action.