Paula Badosa believes speaking openly about mental health in "a lonely sport" as tennis is extremely important because she the mental side is as important as physical health.
When Naomi Osaka famously publicly revealed her battle with major depression and anxiety during the 2021 French Open, she pretty much started a new trend in tennis.
Since then, players across the ATP and WTA Tours have been more transparent about their own issues.
Badosa, a four-time WTA champion and a former world No. 2, has also been one of the biggest mental health advocates in the game. Over the last few years, the 2025 Australian Open semifinalist has often spoken about her own issues, especially after she was diagnosed with a chronic back injury a few years ago.
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"Mental health is fundamental, especially in a sport as demanding and lonely as tennis. I believe speaking openly helps normalize something many athletes struggle with in silence. Taking care of your mind is essential to performance, no matter your situation. I feel everybody should take care of their mental health the same way we take care of our physical health," the 28-year-old told A&E Magazine.
Badosa's deeply honest mental health admission from a few years ago
In 2015, Badosa won the French Open girls' singles title. Since she was resembling Maria Sharapova with her constitution and game, it didn't take long before she was labeled "the next Sharapova."
After Badosa struggled to make a breakthrough in pro tennis, she admitted that the next Sharapova label and all the pressure placed on her were simply too much to handle. And she started to battle depression, anxiety, and even panic attacks on the court.
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"I remember, a few years I had depression and a lot of anxiety. I was dealing with a lot of mental health issues. My head wasn't prepared to listen to all those things and compete," Badosa said in 2022.
