Paula Badosa's rough start to 2026 continues as the Spanish tennis player has withdrawn late from the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha due to injury.
The 2025 Australian Open semifinalist, who went just 2-4 in her opening four tournaments of the year, has already dropped 40 spots since the start of the season and now sits at No. 65 in the world.
At the start of the Australian swing, Badosa had a round-of-16 showing in Brisbane before losing in her Adelaide opener. At the Australian Open – where she had a significant number of points to defend – the Spaniard picked up a shock second-round loss to Oksana Salekhemeteva. The start of the Middle East swing didn't change much for the former world No. 2, who was beaten by lucky loser Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round earlier this week.
Now, Badosa is also forced to miss the opening WTA 1000 tournament of the year in Doha. While the 28-year-old's name appeared in the Doha draw and she drew Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, the Spaniard won't be able to make her fifth Qatar Open appearance this year.
In the past, the 28-year-old Spaniard made four appearances in Doha, only once making the round-of-16.
Badosa hasn't felt well on the court since the start of 2026
After disappointingly losing to Salekhmeteva in Melbourne, the four-time WTA champion admitted that she didn't feel well on the court.
"First of all, praise to her (Selekhmeteva). She played good tennis. She played at a very good level. 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. It is what it is – I have to accept it and keep working," the former world No. 2 said after her early Australian Open exit.
The week after Doha, another WTA 1000 tournament is starting in Dubai.Hopefully, Badosa will recover in time and be able to resume to action.
