Iga Swiatek delivers a significant statement on Paula Badosa

Iga Swiatek had some kind words for home favorite Paula Badosa at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals as the Polish tennis star applauded the Spaniard for not quitting after a major setback and still doing her best to accomplish her dreams despite battling a chronic issue.

After injuring her back in 2023 May and playing just one tournament in the remainder of that season because her recovery wasn’t going as planned, it didn’t get any better for the 26-year-old at the start of 2024. While the Spanish tennis player managed to kick off her comeback at the start of this season, her back kept causing her problems.

Then in March, Badosa was told by the doctors that it was a chronic thing and that it would never go away and she was even advised to end her career. At the time, the four-time WTA champion admitted that she was “scared” and that she was hoping to avoid the worst-case scenario and at least try to play for another three to four years.

And so far, her new therapy has gone well and that led to the former world No. 2 finding some rhythm and consistency. After winning the WTA 500 tournament in Washington – which was her first title in two and a half years – the Spaniard made three more semifinals and she was also a quarterfinalist at the US Open. Now, she is ranked at No. 12 and close to returning inside the top-10.

On Wednesday, Spain will take on Poland at the BJK Cup Finals in Malaga. Ahead of the tie, local reporters asked Swiatek about her probable meeting with Badosa and if she thinks the Spaniard could still be a top player.

“For sure, you know, Paula has the game and the motivation to do that. I was actually, you know, looking at her journey, and I was kind of worried if she was going to be able to come back, because obviously her injuries weren’t easy and smooth, and sometimes she tried but it wasn’t working,” Swiatek said.

“So honestly, I was super happy to see her back playing her tennis on these tournaments, on US Open, you know, and plenty of others. Yeah, she’s a really, really nice person, and I felt like, you know, she’s really pushing to be back. Anybody who has this kind of grit and determination, you know, deserves to be there. Hopefully she’s gonna continue that. But we’ll see this week. I’m probably going to focus on myself, and hopefully she’s not going to play that well (smiling). We’ll see.”