Emotional Paula Badosa opens up after long-awaited return
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Paula Badosa picked up her first win of the 2026 Charleston Open on Tuesday, coming out on top against American Kayla Day. The former world number two had too much for the 26-year-old, taking a straight-sets victory with a 6-4, 6-3 result in South Carolina. Injuries have derailed her career over the last couple of years, and she’s recently slipped out of the world’s top 100.
But Badosa is still plugging away. And this week marks her first appearance at the Charleston Open since she pulled out mid-tournament in April due to injury issues. Paula Badosa opens up about what Charleston win means to her Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images In her post-match interview, Badosa was asked a simple but meaningful question.
The interviewer asked, “How much does it mean for you to be out here? Feeling healthy, and being able to move around the court? It has to be the most important thing today…” Badosa replied: “I’m very emotional.
Don’t do this to me. “It means the world to me. I was very very sad last year.
I had to withdraw from this tournament because of the injury. “Coming back today felt really good. It’s a very special tournament for me.