{"id":424492,"date":"2025-09-14T20:07:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T20:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/424492\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T20:07:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T20:07:13","slug":"former-world-number-two-set-to-play-for-the-first-time-since-wimbledon-after-injury-comeback-at-the-billie-jean-king-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/424492\/","title":{"rendered":"Former world number two set to play for the first time since Wimbledon after injury comeback at the Billie Jean King Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Billie Jean King Cup returns this week, with eight teams vying for glory at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena in China.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Defending champions Italy headline the tournament, which features eight nations competing in a knockout format.<\/p>\n

Intriguingly, Italy take on host nation China in the first quarterfinal, while second seed Great Britain meets Japan.<\/p>\n

The USA take on Kazakhstan, while Spain play Ukraine, who are making their Billie Jean King Cup<\/a> finals debut.<\/p>\n

The tournament coincides with the Korea Open on the WTA Tour<\/a>, which British number one Emma Raducanu has prioritised over the Billie Jean King Cup.<\/p>\n

\"BilliePhoto by Fran Santiago\/Getty Images for ITFFormer world number two to return from injury at the Billie Jean King Cup<\/p>\n

But her fellow WTA star Paula Badosa<\/a> has opted to represent her nation at the team event, marking her comeback from injury.<\/p>\n

Badosa last played at Wimbledon at the end of June, where the ninth seed lost her opening match against home favourite Katie Boulter.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Former American star receives first call-up to Italy and could play the USA at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals<\/a><\/p>\n

But the Spaniard is now back on the court, sharing various updates on social media confirming her presence in Shenzhen.<\/p>\n

She posted on Instagram: \u201cPaused. Now play,\u201d and wrote on her Instagram story<\/a>: \u201cWe back [at the Billie Jean King Cup],\u201d and \u201cAnd someone is happy about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paula Badosa\u2019s WTA titles ahead of Billie Jean King Cup injury comeback <\/p>\n

Badosa has endured a hugely frustrating season<\/a> due to injury, which has involved withdrawals at various events.<\/p>\n

The most recent arrived at the US Open, which she was forced to miss due to the back injury that she had suffered since Wimbledon.<\/p>\n\nYear<\/strong><\/td>\nTitles<\/strong><\/td>\nTournaments<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2024<\/td>\n1<\/td>\nWashington DC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2022<\/td>\n1<\/td>\nSydney<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2021<\/td>\n2<\/td>\nBelgrade, Indian Wells<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Paula Badosa WTA titles<\/p>\n

The Spaniard has been limited to just 28 matches on the WTA Tour in the 2025 season, winning 17 and losing 11.<\/p>\n

And that has played a key role in the 27-year-old dropping to 20th in the world rankings, having once reached a career-high of number two.<\/p>\n

Despite her injury-hit season, Badosa managed to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open, representing the best Grand Slam finish of her career.<\/p>\n

Her dream run included a quarterfinal win over Coco Gauff, with Badosa then knocked out by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.<\/p>\n