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Former world No. 2 Paula Badosa didn't really enjoy much her time away from tennis, admitting that she felt "bored" sitting on the couch and treating injuries.
Throughout the entire 2023, Badosa battled injury issues. After sustaining a thigh injury in Australia, Badosa later dealt with an abductor issue. Then in May, Badosa suffered a spinal stress fracture. After sustaining a back injury in Rome, Badosa's lone appearance in the remainder of the year came at Wimbledon.
Now, Badosa is fully healthy again. After not playing for six months, Badosa is ready to kick off her comeback and the 2024 season at the Adelaide International.
"It was a very slow process. Accepting all this was very hard, especially mentally, because as I always say, I love playing tennis and I love competing. Suddenly, one day I had to stop completely and I had to stay on the couch, so imagine how boring that was," Badosa said in Adelaide.
Badosa ecstatic about playing again
In her Adelaide pre-tournament press conference, Badosa admitted that she has "never been more excited" about the start of a tennis season.
In Adelaide, 26-year-old Badosa is set to make her third appearance. Badosa's Adelaide debut came in 2022, when she was beaten by Victoria Azarenka in the first round. Last year, Badosa enjoyed a better run in Adelaide as the Spaniard made the semifinal before a thigh injury forced her to give a walkover to Daria Kasatkina.
This year, Badosa is starting her Adelaide campaign by playing against world No. 69 Bernarda Pera. When Badosa and 29-year-old Pera meet in Adelaide, it will be their second meeting. Their first meeting came at an ITF event in 2013, when Badosa claimed a two-set win.
This weekend, Pera featured in the Adelaide qualifying event. After beating Tamara Korpatsch in her qualifying opener, Pera lost to Katerina Siniakova in the Adelaide qualifying final round. Still, Pera made the Adelaide main draw as a lucky loser.
It remains to be seen if Badosa can start her comeback with a win over Pera.