Badosa is already here, comes back against Gauff in Berlin, and breaks down in tears: "I love this sport, and that's why I always come back"

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There is no one who persists more and believes in themselves more than Paula Badosa. The Spaniard, after a forgettable clay court tour where her body finally cooperated but her tennis didn't, leading her to withdraw from playing in the Roland Garros qualifying rounds, seems to have found the balance between physicality and good game. This is paying off for her at WTA Berlin. First against Suzan Lamens and now facing two-time Grand Slam champion like Coco Gauff, who seems to be going through a rough patch.

Here is Paula Badosa's incredible comeback against Coco Gauff

Even though the first set hinted at a comfortable victory for the American, who lost the crown at Roland Garros and dropped out of the Top 5 after failing to defend her Paris title. However, Badosa was not going to let slip away the opportunity presented by the wildcard the German tournament had granted her, initiating a comeback that Gauff did not anticipate nor know how to react to. First a set to equalize and then another to secure victory with a score of 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, after an hour and 37 minutes. This way, the Spaniard advances to the quarterfinals in Berlin, awaiting the winner between Diane Parry and Linda Noskova.

"You can see that I am very excited. Yes, it has been very tough. A year ago, I got injured here and since then I couldn't play consistently and also went through a lot professionally, but also personally. And now, to see myself playing at this level again means a lot to me. I know it's just a couple of matches, but what matters to me is the level I played today against Coco because she started incredibly well, and I kept on believing, and finally, I saw myself on the court today," Badosa expressed emotionally at courtside.

Paula Badosa gave a very emotional on-court interview after beating Coco Gauff in Berlin

“Oh my god.” 🥹

“You can see I’m very emotional. It’s been very tough. One year ago here I got injured. Since then I couldn’t play, like, constantly. I went through a lot professionally but… pic.twitter.com/aChCtlEZDO

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 17, 2026

Yet, she didn't hesitate to praise Gauff, especially after the first set: "She was playing very, very hard. I've played against Coco so many times that I know she has this level. But I also know that if I persist, I can have my chances. It was really tough. Well, my coach told me after the first set: 'I've never seen Coco play like this. So just keep believing, you'll have your chance if you stay aggressive.' And that's what I did. I am super happy with the third set, how I handled it, because this year they weren't going my way. Winning a match like this in the third set means a lot."

Before bidding farewell, she opened up a bit more and confessed what the tennis world lacks when going through the tough times she has faced in recent months: "Honestly, the atmosphere I felt today on the court, seeing the crowd, the fans, means a lot to me. Even the breaks, the music, trying to play against the best players in the world, at this level, even in difficult moments, the breakpoints, the pressure moments. I love these moments. I love competing. I love this sport, and that's why I always come back."

A milestone for Paula Badosa will not impact the WTA ranking

However, this significant victory for Badosa will not result in a rise in the WTA ranking, something she needs to get back into the main draws of tournaments since she is currently number 142 in the world. If the Catalan has not moved up the ranks, it is because last year she reached the quarterfinals in Berlin, thus preventing further point losses and a greater drop in the rankings. Now, if she secures a spot in the semifinals, she will start climbing positions and would provisionally place herself in the 121st position on the table. But right now, the important thing is that step by step, Paula Badosa aims to reunite with herself.
 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Badosa ya está aquí, remonta a Gauff en Berlín y rompe a llorar: “Amo este deporte, y por eso siempre vuelvo”