Badosa closes a year to forget in the worst possible way

Paula Badosa closed this Tuesday a 2026 to forgetand he did it in the worst possible way, with abandonment.

The Catalan was forced to retire in her first round match at the Hong Kong tournament after losing the first set 7-5 against Russian Elena Pridankina, number 206 in the world ranking, whom she dominated with authority in the first games.

After being up 4-1 and ball for 5-1, Badosa began to lower its performance little by littlesomething that his rival took advantage of to come back until the score was equal.

The balance was maintained until 5-5when the former world number 2 gave up her serve again after a very long game that would end up taking its toll on her.

Pridankina closed the set next, at which point Badosa called for assistance. After being examined by the medical team, the Spaniard decided to retire in tears.

Badosa thus ends a year to forget in which he has once again been a victim of injuries and that closes in 56th place in the world rankinga classification that will prevent him from being seeded in the Australian Open, the first major event of the next season.