"Didn't know if I could play tennis anymore" - Paula Badosa bursts into tears in emotional moment after making Wimbledon 4R against all odds

Paula Badosa couldn’t contain her emotions as she reached the second week of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. She burst into tears during her on-court interview, touching on her prolonged fitness struggles.

Badosa, ranked World No. 93, took on 14th seed Daria Kasatkina in the third round at SW19 on Friday, July 5. In her previous two encounters, the Spaniard had beaten the 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova, 6-3, 6-2, and rising teenager Brenda Fruhvirtova, 6-4, 6-2.

Daria Kasatkina, meanwhile, was in red-hot form, having beaten Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-0 in her opener before thrashing Yuriko Miyazaki 6-0, 6-0. It's also worth noting that Kasatkina entered Wimbledon right after winning her maiden grasscourt title at the WTA 500 in Eastbourne.

Despite the odds being against her, though, Paula Badosa produced a resilient performance, beating the Russian 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-4. In her on-court interview, Badosa acknowledged her opponent.

"I mean, against Dasha it’s always a battle. She’s just such a great player; she’s been in the top for so many years," she said.

Paula Badosa also mentioned her injury struggles, which have hampered her progress over the past year. She sustained a stress fracture in her back at the 2023 Italian Open, which derailed her season.

At SW19 last year, the Spaniard was forced to retire in the second round, having aggravated the injury. A few months ago, she also revealed that the doctors had presented her with a slim chance of continuing her tennis career.

Recalling the tough moments, Badosa burst into tears.

"And for me it’s very special. I mean I know it’s not my first time in a second week of a Slam, but I think this is the most special one because a few months ago I didn’t know if I could be able to play tennis anymore. So being here today is special," she said in the on-court interview, wiping off her tears.

"I will be so embarrassed of this [interview] after but it’s okay," she added, laughing.

Watch the video here:

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Paula Badosa into second week of a Grand Slam for the 6th time after Wimbledon 3R win

Paula Badosa at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships

With her win against Daria Kasatkina, Paula Badosa has advanced to the second week of a Grand Slam event for the sixth time. This is also the third time she has reached this stage at Wimbledon.

Her best result at a Major so far has been a quarterfinal appearance at the 2021 French Open. She will look to replicate the run by winning her next match at SW19.

The former World No. 2 takes on Donna Vekic or Dayana Yastremska for a spot in the final-eight.