Annual report Paula Badosa 2022, without real highlight; Satisfactory
Paula Badosa ends 2022 within the extended world elite. Despite consistently solid performances, the Spaniard did not provide any real highlights this season.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Dec 26, 2022, 08:19 am
The season could not have started much better for Paula Badosa. The Spaniard started the season at the WTA 500 event in Sydney - and won the title there with convincing performances. What Badosa could not have guessed at the time, it should have been the first and last in the 2022 calendar year.
As a result, the Spaniard showed solid performances week after week, but mostly the Iberian was the last stop after two or three victories per tournament. Which is simply not enough on the WTA tour to earn a plus on the credit side when it comes to winning titles.
Badosa: rise and fall
Badosa's Grand Slam record also reads rather poorly: The world number 13 was twice. in the round of 16, once in round three, once was the end of the line after a win. This means that the world rankings have also been steadily going downhill recently. Although the Spaniard was able to set her career high in April this year with second place in the world rankings.
At that time still together with Iga Swiatek in the race for pole position after the surprising career end of the leader Ashleigh Barty, the advance in April was followed by a crash. Up to rank 13, which Badosa currently holds. A positive conclusion to the season, representing the Spanish team at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, was ultimately denied to the 25-year-old.
At the Australian Open, which will start in a few weeks, Badosa is not one of the top favorites due to recent performances. Which of course could also give the Spaniard a boost - because second place in the world rankings didn't come from anywhere, of course. That is precisely why the performances shown in 2022 are at best satisfactory.