Spain has suffered a blow ahead of their Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie against the Netherlands as world No. 3 Paula Badosa has pulled out of the event.
Badosa, 24, cited “recent physical and medical problems” as the reason for her withdrawal.
“It is not an easy decision, who knows me knows how complicated it is for me not to be in a competition and I was especially looking forward to this one, but advised by my medical team and due to physical and medical problems with which I have had to compete in recent weeks, I will be out of the call for the BJK Cup.”
Badosa: I will be cheering for my team
Even though Badosa won’t be helping Spain this week, she will be rooting for her team to get the job done and clinch a ticket for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
“I will be cheering on my teammates in the distance with the desire to compete side by side with them in the next call,” Badosa added.
Badosa last played in Charleston, where she reached the quarterfinal before losing to eventual champion Belinda Bencic.
Badosa made a strong start to her Charleston quarterfinal but Bencic recovered to beat the Spaniard 2-6 7-6 (2) 6-4.
Badosa had the full control of the match as she was up by a set and a break before she collapsed and lost in three sets.
“It was a big fight,” Bencic said after the match. “I’m just going to try to recover. But I’m happy with the way I played, with the way I fought, and I’m happy to get another match here.”
Badosa is scheduled to play in Stuttgart next week.
It remains to be seen if Badosa will be able to play her second clay event of the season next week.