'I didn't know if I had to retire': Paula Badosa stuns third seed Coco Gauff to lock in maiden grand slam semi
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Twelve months ago, Paula Badosa was preparing to retire from tennis due to a career-threatening back injury.
Now, she's locked in her spot in a maiden grand slam semi final at the Australian Open, after defeating third seed American Coco Gauff in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, in stunning scenes on Tuesday.
It's a turnaround for the ages, with the 27-year-old now preparing for a semi final on Thursday.
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And Badosa admitted she didn't think it would be possible.
"A year ago, I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport. Now I'm here playing against the best in the world," she said in her on court interview with Nine's Alicia Molik after the victory.
Paula Badosa fell to the ground on Rod Laver Arena after beating Coco Gauff. Getty
"I won today. I'm in semi finals.
"I would never think that a year after, I would be here."
Badosa fell to the ground in jubilation after overcoming Gauff.
"I'm a bit emotional," she said.
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"As you know, I'm a very emotional person and overcoming something like this - the quarter finals were very tough (when) I came in, I wanted to play my best game - I think I did it."
Badosa reached a career-best ranking of world No.2 back in 2022, before injury got in her way.
It's been a motivating factor in her drive to win a maiden grand slam, with a new found level of maturity and experience guiding her.
"I'm super proud of the level I gave today. I mean, I've been through a lot," she said.
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts after losing to Paula Badosa. Getty
"I was, in the past, one of the best players in the world, but I think now I'm a better player, more mature.
"I think I managed emotions a little bit better - not always, but sometimes."
On the other end of the spectrum, Gauff's 9-0 record in 2025 was brought to an end in heartbreaking style. She was also on a 13-match winning streak that dated all the way back to November.
Badosa will next face off against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka or world No.27 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Thursday's semi final.
