Spanish star Paula Badosa said she was finally back \u201cpain-free\u201d after reaching the quarter-final of the Strasbourg Open. The 27-year-old was level at 3-3 in the first set of her clash with Marie Bouzkova when the Czech player was forced to retire hurt.<\/p>\n
Badosa has overcome a chronic back problem to fight her way back into the world\u2019s top 10. After an injury-plagued few years, she reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open<\/a> in January before being beaten by eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. However, her season was then disrupted when she was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open<\/a> due to back issues, putting her French Open<\/a> participation in doubt.<\/p>\n However, she\u2019s returned to the court in time to play in Paris, and after the abrupt end to her match with Bouzkova, gave a heartwarming interview. That\u2019s despite admitting she\u2019s some way off her best form.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy to be back after two months,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was tough. It was a tough journey. I\u2019m still very far from my level, but hopefully I can be there soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Badosa expressed frustration about the timing of her latest injury, admitting she struggled to overcome the blow but has said she’s back pain-free again in a heartwarming update. She added: \u201cThis time for me, mentally, it hurt.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I think I was playing the best tennis of my life. I was playing very well. Physically, I was feeling very well also. Stopping like this was tough for me. Finally, I\u2019m back pain-free.\u201d<\/p>\n