Badosa says Tsitsipas’ break up reminds her of energy couple’s break-up

Paula Badosa has compared her break-up with Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas to the another high-profile tennis couple’s split as she speaks publicly on their decision to end their relationship for the first time. 

On Monday, former world No 2, Badosa, 26, announced that she and Tsitsipas, 25, would be amicably ending their romantic relationship, after nearly a year together. 

The pair had grown to becoming one of the sport’s most beloved couples, with the duo being dubbed ‘Tsitsidosa’, creating a joint-Instagram account that boasted over 87,000 followers.

Prior to the announcement that they would be parting ways, the Instagram account had been removed – yet pictures of the pair remain on their individual social media acocunts. The couple have fevently supported eachother online through their activities both on and off the court, growing to becoming one of tennis’ biggest power couples. 

In an announcement posted on social media, Badosa said: ‘We have shared a journey filled with love and learning, and it is as friends with immense mutual respect that we now choose to move forward on our own paths.’

‘As we transition into this new chapter of our lives, we continue to wish each other nothing but the best in all our endeavors.’

Recently, Badosa has struggled with some serious injuries that have thrown the future of her professional career into some doubt. The Spaniard, who has won three titles on the WTA Tour, was last year forced to curtail her season early, after she had suffered a stress fracture in her back. 

Badosa has subsequently returned from injury this season, and is currently in action at the Italian Open. On Tuesday, she beat Mirra Andreeva 6-2 6-3, before advancing to the last 64 of the competition after coming from behind to beat Emma Navarro over three sets. 

After the victory against Andreeva, she spoke to reporters at the tournament in Rome, comparing her and Tsitsipas’ break-up to that of iconic tennis couple Maria Sharapova and Grigor Dimitrov. 

‘Emotionally, it hasn’t been easy these last few days , but I’m a strong person, so I’m trying to deal with everything the best I can,’ Badosa, who currently sits at No 126 in the WTA singles rankings, said following the victory against Andreeva, per AS.  

‘I’m very proud of myself and how I’m doing,’ she added. ‘This reminds me a lot of the story of Maria [Sharapova] and Grigor [Dimitrov], where you meet the right person but maybe at the wrong time. It’s a bit like that.

‘When we were great, the relationship was great. Other times we have our own careers, our own things, and sometimes it is better to separate,’ she said.

Sharapova and Dimitrov were together for nearly two years before their much documented split in 2015 during the Wimbledon Championships. Considering their stature within the game, the pair’s relationship caught the affection of many tennis fans around the world. 

The pair parted ways amicably, but came as both were challenging to reach the top of the WTA and ATP rankings. Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova stated that she realised that perhaps too her and Dimitrov’s relationship was perhaps standing in the way of pursuing their professional careers. 

Speaking on their break-up, Sharapova stated in 2015: ‘It was then, at that moment, that the emotional pull I had been fighting came to an end.

‘I knew, and so did he, that I couldn’t be that person at this time of my life, I was supposed to be focused, getting prepared for my own matches, my own triumphs, and defeats, on the largest stage of my career.’ 

Dimitrov also said at the time: ‘I wish her much happiness and success in life and in tennis. Now I’m concentrated entirely on the game and I’m sure the results will soon be seen… This is the summer of the new beginning for me.’ 

Men’s world No 8, Tsitsipas is also in action in Rome this week and will take on Jan-Lennard Struff in the round of 64 on Saturday.   

The pair have previously been described as one of ‘Wimbledon’s wildest couples’ after going public on their relationship last summer. 

The pair were due to play mixed doubles together at the All England Championships last summer but Badosa’s back injury had forced her to retire early during her second singles round match, forcing the pair to abandon their plans. 

Badosa also made headlines last year after she delivered several lasting glares towards her former boyfriend’s father during Tsitsipas’ victory against Andy Murray on Centre Court. She was seen staring down the back of his head as he turned to speak with her between points – promiting some to question who was in charge in Tsitsipas’ coaching corner.

The pair had been very open about their relationship in the past, posting photos of each other on their joint account of them enhjoying meals out, holidays abroad and shots of the pair practicing on court together. 

Badosa had also strangely revealed she had a sex dream about her boyfriend Tsitsipas during a press conference at Wimbledon.  

She said: ‘Surprising, because I never dream about tennis players, but I dreamt about him that night, that we were both winning Australian Open. Then it was like we were having a very romantic moment, but I’m not going to explain. I’m just going to leave it there. (Laughter).’

The pair had previously spoken out on being ‘happy and content together’, with Tsitispas telling Eurosport that he had not ‘felt that type of connection with anyone before.’

He also had tried to help Badosa through her recent injury woes, with the Greek star revealing that he had been ‘trying to find the right words and things to say. 

‘I’m just there as much as I can to keep making her feel good that at least we are together and we’re trying to find a solution together,’ he told Eurosport earlier this year.