Emotional Badosa Upsets Gauff: I Kept Believing

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Photo credit: Berlin Tennis Open Facebook

Berlin once started a painful spiral for Paul Badosa.

Today, Badosa reconnected with her identity surprising fifth-seeded Coco Gauff, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the Berlin Tennis Open.

An emotional Badosa ended the upset in tears of joy.

Recalling the pain of a back issue that’s plagued her over the past year, as well as her split from ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas, Badosa said regaining this level of play was particularly moving for her after all she’s experienced.

“I’m very excited. It has been very hard,” Badosa said. “A year ago I was injured here. Since then I haven’t been able to play regularly. I’ve been through a lot, both professionally and personally. Playing at this level again means a lot to me. 

“I know it’s only a couple of games, but for me the most important thing is the level I showed today against Coco. It started incredibly well and I kept believing. I think today I finally saw myself back on the court.”

All of the feels! 🥹@paulabadosa | #BTO26 pic.twitter.com/IwbedqzGQi

— wta (@WTA) June 17, 2026

Former Indian Wells champion Badosa converted four of five break points in a 96-minute victory.

It was Badosa’s fifth win over Gauff in eight career meetings, propelling her into the quarterfinals against either eighth-seeded Linda Noskova or Diane Parry.

“It was a very difficult match, I respect Coco a lot, who is one of my favorite players on the circuit,” Badosa said. “It’s always a battle against her that pushes you to the limit. Winning games like this helps a lot and especially with the level shown.

“Whichever opponent is in the quarterfinals it will be a very tough match as both players are very dangerous”