The friendship between Paula Badosa and Emma Raducanu was on full display at the Citi D.C. Open in Washington last year. There, they shared meals, trained together, and confided in each other about the pressures of fame and expectations before they met on the opposing sides of the court. Their bond, affectionately highlighted by their nicknames “Emmita” and “Paulita,” has extended beyond the court and tennis tournaments. On their birthdays, just two days apart, they exchanged heartfelt messages and gifts, including a handwritten note by Raducanu. Badosa once described Emma as “Strong, fighter, and beautiful,” while being honest about their friendship.
We’ve seen them share the court twice. Raducanu showed her prowess at the W25 event in Bolton, ousting the Spaniard in the quarterfinals. Paula got her revenge last year in Washington, DC! But behind it all is a simple camaraderie that can’t be measured. They take the time to support each other!
Paula is facing some downtime since her back injury flared up during last month’s Miami Open. She was forced to withdraw before her fourth round and then skipped the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix to focus on recovery. But now, the 27-year-old is preparing for her comeback at the Madrid Open.
As the WTA heads into clay season, she hyped up her fans on Instagram: “Ready to crank up the pulse? 🙃📈 @mutuamadridopen Always by the hand of @iberdrola 💚” She’s excited to take on the Madrid Open. Her stunning looks caught the eye of the British No.1 and her friend, who dropped a simple, “😍” in response to her beauty! This isn’t the first time Raducanu has shown her love for Badosa’s style.
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Last year in December, Badosa shared a series of photos from her pre-season training, showcasing her blue tennis attire. This caught Raducanu’s attention, and she was quick to comment “Blueeeeee 😍” and “So Pretty” underneath the post.
What’s truly heartwarming? Seeing Raducanu and Badosa genuinely cheer each other on! Last year, when Emma was fighting her way back, Paula was right there with the love. After that tough foot injury at the Korea Open, Emma bounced back strong at the Billie Jean King Cup, snagging a win for Britain.
As Emma buzzed with victory, she posted all about it on Instagram, captioning it with that funny “🇬🇧 there’s more milk in the fridge —>>> quarters.” And guess who left the most hype comment? Paula herself, with a big “Yes girl 🔥❤️”! And Emma’s cheeky reply, “@paulabadosa secret admirer 😉,” just shows how cool their friendship is.
Sharing the same birth month, the Briton and Spaniard also share a zodiac sign, which found its way in Emma’s wish to Paula last year. Raducanu also dropped a message on Instagram, writing, “Happy birthday my [scorpion] sis, us together is trouble. To many more laughs and hugs.” Badosa later revealed a heartfelt note and gift on her Instagram story, expressing her appreciation, writing, “The sweetest @emmaraducanu”.
Two days earlier, Badosa had wished Raducanu on her birthday, sharing an image from their Citi Open clash, where the pair could be seen hugging at the net with the caption, “Happy bday Emmita.”
Emma Raducanu and Paula Badosa didn’t face off in an official match during Wimbledon 2024, but they did practice together on the grass courts ahead of the tournament. What really got people talking, though, was a photo shared from that session: the two embracing warmly after training, both smiling and relaxed.
And talking about hyping up, the Spaniard, a few years older, has backed up the young star on her journey in tennis!
Paula Badosa couldn’t stop gushing about Emma Raducanu ahead of their Washington showdown in August 2024. Talking about their bond, she said, “With her, honestly, we spoke a lot. We had chats even off court. We went for lunch and for breakfast. We spoke a lot about how tough it is to deal with all these expectations, especially in her case. I had a little bit the same in my career. Especially when you feel that anything you do it’s going to be crazy on social media. In her case, it’s like that.”
Badosa, once dubbed “the next Maria Sharapova,” knows the weight of expectations all too well and the mental battles that come with sudden stardom. The Spaniard’s reputation on the WTA Tour is all about being supportive and easygoing, and she made it clear that Raducanu is no exception. She shared, “I think she’s dealing with it pretty well now. She’s found a balance. It’s never going to be easy in her case because, as I say, anything she does, it’s going to get crazy. But it’s part of it. I think she has to find the beautiful part of it. That’s what I’m trying to find also.”
Meanwhile, 2024 was a rollercoaster for Raducanu, who faced a string of injury setbacks. In March, she withdrew from the Miami Open with a lower back issue, then skipped the French Open and Paris Olympics due to concerns about switching surfaces. A foot ligament injury at the Korea Open in September forced her to retire mid-match and miss several Asian tournaments, including the China Open, Wuhan, Ningbo, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong events.
After a strong run to the Miami Open quarterfinals, Raducanu opted for a short break from tennis. She pulled out of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup ties and the WTA 250 in Rouen, France, to recharge after her Miami efforts.
Now there’s a buzz about Raducanu’s possible return at the Madrid Open in late April. She’s listed to play from April 22 to May 4. Paula Badosa is also eyeing a comeback after her back injury. The two could cross paths on the clay courts again. Will these friends and fierce competitors light up the tournament? Share your thoughts in the comments below!