Paula Badosa must have had a bit of a rough night. I'm not only talking about her defeat in Dubai after a new injury but also about the comments she must have read when she opened some social media platforms that are sometimes a real minefield.
Specifically, when she read the comment left by the account @limuzinax moments after Paula Badosa retired from her match at the WTA 1000 in Dubai against Elina Svitolina with the score at 4-1 in the first set due to a leg injury. "Paula Badosa is very disrespectful to the game, she cannot withdraw from all tournaments," this person publicly wrote around 3:30 in the afternoon. Hours later, the Catalan player didn't hold back. In two simple tweets, she responded explaining her current situation and why there are so many athletes at high risk of mental health issues.
Paula Badosa is so disrespectful to the game, you just cannot retire/withdraw from every tournament
— Elsa Jaquemot shady facts (@limuzinaxd) February 17, 2026
Paula Badosa responds to a Twitter user accusing her of disrespecting tennis
“You have no idea what it's like to live with a chronic injury and still move forward. Waking up every day not knowing how your body will react, looking for solutions, and fighting for something you love, giving your all even when it's so hard. Believe me, I'm the first one who suffers pain and has endless nightmares to try to find solutions every day, and for me, after all, stepping onto a tennis court is always worth it. So, I will keep trying. Because the key is in trying, and that won't change. I will always try one more time.
I do this because it's my passion, I do it for myself. And if there's a 1% chance of moving forward, I'll take it. That's how I see and understand life. If you don't like it, you don't have to follow me. And I'm sorry to inform you that I'm not going to retire, so you'll keep seeing me for a while. Change the channel next time.
For me, the only disrespect here is opening these social media platforms and reading messages like this. Then we complain if we see players or people suffering or having mental health issues, but ultimately, I'm not surprised by the amount of hatred and "experts" we have here.”

The people are with Paula
Badosa wanted to focus on this user, although the truth is she could have chosen many more. It's the less kind part of social media, the ease it provides to publish these kinds of messages. Fortunately, there are also other messages that heal the heart from these attacks. There, Paula also took the time to remember her followers, who suffer with her defeats every week and support her at all costs.
But anyways I want to thank the people who always supports me no matter what. Thank you for being with me in this journey and sorry for giving you this tough times. Hopefully sun will shine soon. 🤞❤️
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) February 18, 2026
“Of course, I want to thank those who always support me, no matter what. Thank you for being with me on this journey and sorry for making you go through such tough times. Hopefully, the sun will shine soon,” wrote the player from Begur on one of those nights when falling asleep is so hard. Hopefully, in the upcoming tours, we’ll all bring a hat and a sunshade to shield ourselves under scorching sunlight.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Badosa estalla ante un usuario en "X": “No tienes ni idea de lo que es vivir con una lesión crónica…”

