Paula Badosa has revealed that she has been told by doctors it is “complicated” to continue her career and she may only be able to play for a few more years.
Badosa, 26, has battled several injury issues since reaching No. 2 in the world rankings two years ago.
She missed three of the four Grand Slams last season due to a back injury and this year has fallen out of the top 100.
In March, she started receiving cortisone shots in order to help with the lingering back issue – but is unsure how much longer she will be able to play at the highest level.
“They said this is the only option we can give you and maybe you will have to keep doing that if you want to play for a few more years.
“I said, ‘A few more years? I’m still 26.’ For me, that was very tough.
“So far, the injections are working. The pain is always there, but there were times I couldn’t even handle it.
“This is like the first time that I am opening up, so I’m still pretty scared. They said this may work for a few months but we’ll have to check again, so I’m scared I’ll have to stop again.
“It’s all the time chasing this, waking up every morning and the pain it’s there and sometimes I could not handle it, but now I can. At least that’s the positive thing.
“Clay court will be the best for me, grass I think it will be OK also because it’s less impact, but hard courts I will suffer more.”
Injury issues have seen Badosa withdraw from three matches this season.
Despite her ongoing injury battle, Badosa is still aiming of a return to the top 10.
“I think what’s making me fight every day is the love that I have for this sport,” she said.
“I always had this goal to be one of the best in the world and to win tournaments and face the big players. That’s why I’m here.
“So for me being able to play three, four more years would be amazing, and of course this year to play the full year, and achieve the highest ranking possible.
“I don’t like to put numbers, but I would like to be top 30, and top 10 again would be amazing, but I think top 10 this year is too much after all.
“Maybe in a year or a year and a half, I would like to be back there.”
Badosa is playing at this week’s Madrid Open, where she made the semi-finals in 2021.