Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas slated to play World Tennis League mixed doubles

Tennis’s real-life couple of Spaniard Paula Badosa, 26, and Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas, 25, is finally joining ranks on the court.  They are slated to play mixed doubles in a World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi next week.  This is the couple’s second attempt to join forces on the court. They were supposed to play mixed doubles at Wimbledon, but a back issue that plagued Badosa ruined that plan.

Affectionately known as “Tsitsidosa”, the pair started dating in the Spring of 2023.  They shared their love on social media to the delight of some fans and the ire of others.  Some believe that Tsitsipas’s inability to compete for a Grand Slam in 2023 is related to his relationship.  His best result was as a finalist at the 2023 Australian Open which occurred before they began dating.  Tsitsipas is widely regarded as one of the best male players on the ATP Tour who has yet to win a Grand Slam.

The training, travel, and rigor of professional tennis for 11 months out of the year is a hard life so other fans (like me) are happy they found each other and are enjoying their lives.  I am curious to see if their on-court chemistry mirrors what we see on social media of their off-court lives.

What to expect from Badosa and Tsitsidosa mixed doubles

It is difficult to predict what fans will see mainly because of Badosa’s injuries.  Hopefully, we see Badosa moving around the court with ease and striking the ball well.  She is on the 2024 Australian Open entry list, ranked 63rd. This could be a good way for her to get match experience in a friendly setting before arriving in Melbourne next month.

With all the high-profile female players making comebacks in 2024, including Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, not many people are talking about Badosa who achieved her highest career ranking of World No. 2 in April 2022.

Tsitsipas has more recent doubles experience playing with his brother, Petros, in 2023 and with fellow Greek Maria Sakkari at the 2020 Olympics where they finished as quarterfinalists.