Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: ‘Dream come true’: Badosa stuns Gauff; Djokovic, Alcaraz to clash in blockbuster
Triumphant Spaniard Paula Badosa has revealed she feared her career was over 12 months ago when she was struggling with a back injury during the Australian Open.
Now, the 27-year-old 11th seed has advanced to her first grand slam semi-final after out-muscling American No.3 seed Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 in aone hour and 43 minutes.
Paula Badosa collapses in joy after winning her quarter-final.Credit: AP
Badosa has had to manage chronic back pain since the beginning of 2023 when she was told by a doctor that she might not be able to continue to play tennis. The injury flared again at Melbourne Park last year.
“I’ve been through a lot,” Badosa told Nine commentator Alicia Molik during emotional her post-match interview.
“In the past, I was one of the best players in the world, but I think now I am a better player, more mature … for me this was a dream come true.
Despite losing, Coco Gauff consoles an emotional Paula Badosa after their quarter-final.Credit: AP
“I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back that I didn’t know if I had to retire from this sport.
“Now I’m here playing against the best in the world. I won today. I’m in semi-finals, so I would never think that a year ago.”
It was the first time Badosa had beaten a top 10 player in a grand slam event.
For Gauff, 20, it was a sad end to what had been shaping as a promising tournament. The 2023 US Open winner could not replicate her semi-final appearance of last year.
