Paula Badosa Withdraws from Mutua Madrid Open Due to Injury

Madrid, Spain – Paula Badosa will not compete in the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open due to a back injury. The news broke early on April 25, just before she was scheduled to play against Veronika Kudermetova.

Badosa announced her withdrawal on Instagram, sharing, “I have tried everything possible until the last moment because I am excited to play at home, but this is a complicated injury. I hope to be at 100% soon.” The player, ranked ninth in the world, has struggled with back problems since last year.

The 27-year-old Spanish player had to forfeit her participation in the tournament after experiencing persistent pain. “It’s a different injury that touches the nerve,” Badosa explained. “I said it was different because I was in constant pain, which affected my sleep and walking. It was very hard for me,” she added.

With Badosa out of the tournament, Cristina Bucsa has stepped in as a ‘lucky loser’ to replace her. Bucsa is already making her mark, winning the first set 6-4 against Kudermetova. This is a significant opportunity for Bucsa as she becomes the sole Spanish representative left in the WTA bracket.

As of now, other matches are ongoing at the Madrid Open. Jasmine Paolini is leading Katie Boulter 6-1 in the first set. Meanwhile, Casper Ruud is up 6-3 against Arthur Rinderknech, and Benjamin Bonzi surprised Hubert Hurkacz with a 6-4 win in the first set.

This year’s tournament has faced a stark blow with high-profile withdrawals, including that of Carlos Alcaraz just a day prior. With both Badosa and Alcaraz out, the tournament has lost major attractions for local fans.

As the matches continue at the Caja Mágica, fans and players alike will be watching closely for updates on Badosa’s recovery and future contests throughout the tournament.