Paula Badosa’s 2024 season has been a mix of highs and lows. While the Spaniard had a strong showing at the China Open, reaching the semifinals before falling to Coco Gauff, her season took a downturn after she withdrew from the Wuhan Open, citing a gastrointestinal illness. However, her withdrawal came on the heels of a social media controversy, adding pressure to an already challenging season.
Recently, Badosa found a heartwarming distraction when she stumbled across images of her parents, Mireia Gibert and Josep Badosa, from their modeling days, shared on X by TennisHYPEMedia. Gushing with pride, Badosa responded with a playful, “Mami & papi” and a heart-eye emoji, hinting at the launch of her long-teased jewelry line with, “Yes… very soon!”
Badosa has been preparing to launch her own earring designs, which she first teased in May. Inspired by her parents’ modeling background and guided by her admiration for Maria Sharapova, Badosa envisions a successful transition from tennis to business, similar to Sharapova’s post-tennis career. “She’s a mentor, an ambassador for many brands… that’s something I would love to achieve when I retire,” Badosa revealed in an Elle Spain interview.
Despite her creative aspirations, Badosa’s recent social media misstep sparked controversy. After her trainer posted an image of her playfully holding chopsticks, fans accused her of cultural insensitivity. Badosa quickly addressed the backlash, explaining that the image was misunderstood. “I love Asia, some of my favorite people are Asian… I was just playing around with my face and wrinkles,” she clarified, but the incident left some fans upset.
Badosa now faces the dual challenge of rebuilding her rapport with fans while continuing to focus on her tennis career. She will next be seen at the Ningbo Open, where she is set to face Diana Shnaider, aiming to end her season on a high note. As Badosa balances her love for fashion with her ambitions on the court, fans are left wondering if her upcoming fashion venture will help her win back hearts both on and off the court.
