Paula Badosa stunned Coco Gauff at the Australian Open to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final – just one year after fearing she would have to retire from tennis.
The Spaniard, a former world number two, spent almost two years struggling with back problems and fell to 140th in the rankings
But, after a strong end to 2024, Badosa’s comeback continued in sensational fashion as she ended American Gauff’s 13-match winning streak with a 7-5 6-4 victory.
“I’m a bit emotional – as you know, I’m a very emotional person,” Badosa said.
“I’ve been through a lot. I was in the past one of the best players in the world but I think now I’m a better player.”
Badosa was named the WTA’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2024 after recovering from a stress fracture in her spine that saw her miss two of the four majors in 2023.
The 27-year-old won her first title in over two years at August’s Washington Open before reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open a month later.
-“A year ago I was here with my back and I didn’t know if I had to retire from this sport,” 11th seed Badosa said.
“Now I’m here playing against the best in the world. I won today, I’m in the semi-finals.
“I will never think that a year after I would be here. This is a dream come true.”
She will face either two-time defending champion and close friend Aryna Sabalenka or Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next.
Swiss
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