Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa received some criticism on social media following her second round loss in Madrid to Simona Halep but Spanish tennis legend Alex Corretja came to her defence.
Badosa, who achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2 last Monday, entered Madrid hoping to make a strong run.
Unfortunately for Badosa, her Madrid campaign came to an end on Saturday after she suffered a 6-3 6-1 loss to two-time Grand Slam champion Halep.
Badosa started receiving criticism on social media and one of her fans came to her defense.
“Everyone criticizing @paulabadosa when she loses, when she wins, everyone praising her, young promise, etc. You have to be in the good and bad. Not to mention those who say that she is there because she is pretty or that she played with her face. PAULA! Always with you,” a fan named Marta tweeted in Spanish.
Todo el mundo criticando a @paulabadosa cuando pierde, cuando gana todos alabándola, jóven promesa etc. Hay que estar en las buenas y malas. Por no hablar de los que dicen que está ahí por ser guapa ni que jugase con la cara 🙄 ÁNIMO PAULA! Siempre contigo 👉🏼🧠❤️
— Marta 🔻 (@galapeta7) April 30, 2022
Badosa responded Marta:
😔🙏❤️
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) May 1, 2022
Corretja shows Badosa support, Badosa replies
Corretja responded to Marta’s tweet: “Number two in the world, in the world, and they criticize her for losing against Halep! Don’t worry, Marta, @paulabadosa is very clear about where she comes from and where she wants to be! But I’m sure he really appreciates your support! I join those encouragements.”
Número DOS DEL MUNDO, DEL MUNDO 💪🏻 , y la critican por perder contra Halep 🤷♂️! No sufras, Marta, @paulabadosa tiene muy claro de donde viene y donde quiere estar! Pero seguro que agradece MUCHO tu apoyo! Me sumo a esos ÁNIMOS 👏🏻! https://t.co/CtmEx6vLp3
— Alex Corretja (@AlexCorretja74) May 1, 2022
Badosa was grateful for the support Corretja showed.
“Thank you Alex for this encouragement and appreciating my work. I wanted to take the opportunity to say the same to you, I love tennis and commentators like you make this sport even more beautiful,” Badosa responded to Corretja.
Gracias Alex por estos ánimos y valorar mi trabajo. Quería aprovechar para decirte lo mismo a ti, me encanta el tenis y comentaristas como tú hacen este deporte aún más bonito. 🙏
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) May 1, 2022
Badosa was 3-2 up on Halep before she lost the next nine games.
While 6-3 3-0 down to Halep, Badosa took a medical timeout because of a shoulder issue.
Badosa refused to retire the match and she saved two match points in the sixth game of the second set.
Badosa saved two match points in the sixth game but it didn’t lead to a comeback as Halep served out for the match in the seventh game.
Badosa will be hoping to bounce back in Rome.