Paula Badosa's 2026 tennis season has been a challenging journey so far, marked by a series of setbacks and injuries. The Spanish tennis star, who was once ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, has been struggling to find her footing this year. After a disappointing start, Badosa has been forced to withdraw from the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha, adding to her list of recent disappointments.
Badosa's struggles began early in the year, with a 2-4 record in her first four tournaments. This decline in form has seen her drop 40 spots in the rankings, currently sitting at No. 65 globally. The Australian Open semifinalist, who had high hopes for the season, faced a series of unexpected losses, including a shocking second-round defeat to Oksana Salekhemeteva at the Australian Open.
The Middle East swing didn't bring any respite for Badosa, as she lost to lucky loser Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round. Now, she is also forced to miss the opening WTA 1000 tournament of the year in Doha, where she was set to face Jelena Ostapenko in the first round. This is a significant setback for the 28-year-old, who has only managed to reach the round of 16 once in her four previous appearances in Doha.
Badosa's struggles on the court have been evident since the start of 2026. After her early exit from the Australian Open, she admitted that she didn't feel well on the court, attributing it to discomfort and a lack of confidence. "On my side of the court, I didn’t feel myself. I didn’t feel I was playing good tennis. I was uncomfortable right from the beginning," she said after the loss.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for Badosa's recovery. The week after Doha, another WTA 1000 tournament is starting in Dubai, and there is a chance that she will be able to resume her tennis journey there. However, the question remains: can Badosa turn her fortunes around and reclaim her place among the top players in the world?
