Paula Badosa was unable to win back-to-back titles at the Iasi Open in Romania.
Badosa lost in the first round of Wimbledon this year in what has been a tough year for the Spaniard, but she has since bounced back.
After winning a WTA 125 title in Bastad last week, Badosa reached her first main WTA Tour final since 2024 in Iasi.
Badosa was on a nine-match winning streak coming into the final, but she was unable to complete the match due to injury.
Paula Badosa apologises after retiring from the Iasi Open final
Badosa was set to play Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the Iasi Open final on Sunday, but rain postponed the final until Monday morning.
The 28-year-old has endured many injury struggles in recent years, and Badosa was clearly struggling before retiring from the match when 6-4, 4-0 down, causing her first ever defeat in a WTA final after four previous victories.
As is customary after a final, runner-up Badosa spoke on court in the post-match trophy ceremony.
Badosa was quick to congratulate her opponent, before apologising to the crowd for being unable to bring her fully fit self to the court.
“Hello everyone. First of all I want to congratulate Mayar, she’s a great fighter, 10 wins in a row is not easy so I’m really happy for you and your team,” said Badosa. “I know you’re a hard worker and I really respect that, so I wish you the best for the rest of the season and all the seasons.”
Badosa continued, “I’m always a player that’s very honest and real. I have to say I hate this moment right now, I hate losing a final and I’m really sorry that I had to do it in this way but I couldn’t keep up with my body so I apologise for that also.
“But I also want to say, one month ago I was in one of the worst losing streaks of my career and one month after I made one of the best winning streaks of my career…lately we have had a little more positivity.”
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Where will Paula Badosa be ranked after the Iasi Open?
Despite the disappointing way that the tournament finished for Badosa, she will still be rewarded for her efforts to reach the final in Iasi.
Badosa was ranked outside the top 140 after Wimbledon, but she is now confirmed to break back into the top 100 at world number 93.
This is a huge boost for Badosa, who will now be able to directly enter the US Open this year and not have to play in qualifying.
Badosa is also scheduled to compete for a fourth consecutive week at the Hamburg Open, but her latest injury has put her participation for the tournament in doubt.
In the first round, Badosa has been scheduled to play against Polish player Katarzyna Kawa.
