“Paula Badosa close to leaving the top 100 before Indian Wells.”

The stunning trajectory of Paula Badosa, former world number 2, is now facing a new devastating obstacle. The Spanish tennis player is set to fall out of the Top 100 of the WTA rankings, a sad reality that becomes official on Monday, March 2. This milestone symbolizes yet another difficult chapter in a career marked by recurring injuries that have kept her from reaching her true potential. At just 28 years old, Badosa, one of the most consistent players on the circuit, has just announced her withdrawal from the Mérida Open, putting her in a race against time to recover in time for Indian Wells.

Currently ranked 85th in the world, Badosa will lose ranking points from last season, without the opportunity to defend them in Mexico, which will drop her to the 106th position — her lowest ranking since 2024. This situation highlights the instability that has characterized her recent seasons. The latest setback occurred during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where Badosa was forced to retire in the second round against Elina Svitolina. After leading 4-1, physical issues plagued her, resulting in a withdrawal after losing five consecutive games and finishing the first set at 4-6.

Badosa’s physical difficulties, primarily related to persistent back problems, have limited both her tournament schedule and her training continuity over the past 18 months. With a loss of over 100 ranking points, the situation has become critical, as the player needs to be fit to compete in Indian Wells, a tournament that traditionally suits her playing style, if she wants to accumulate the necessary points to regain her place in the Top 100.

Badosa has faced a similar drop before, when in April 2024, she also fell out of the Top 100 due to a prolonged period of injuries. However, the tennis player demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit, gradually climbing back into the Top 10 through consistent results in WTA 500 and 1000 tournaments. This recovery was a testament to her resilience and the high potential that placed her among the best.

From a ranking that had dropped to 140th place in May 2024, Badosa achieved an impressive rise to 12th place by the end of the year. Her strong campaign at the beginning of 2025, culminating in a Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, allowed her to return to the Top 10. The peak of her career was marked by winning the title at Indian Wells in 2021, one of the most prestigious trophies outside of the Grand Slams, where she defeated Victoria Azarenka in the final.

However, the sustained physical problems have hindered her trajectory. In 2025, Badosa struggled to find her rhythm, with early exits and withdrawals preventing her from building the much-needed continuity in competitions. This inability to make deep runs consecutively is directly reflected in her erosion in the rankings.

Now, as the circuit prepares for the Sunshine Double, Badosa finds herself at a crucial juncture. Indian Wells is not just a tournament; it is a symbol of her journey. The question remains: will she be physically ready to face the challenge? For Badosa, the fight goes beyond ranking points; it is about regaining durability and competitive continuity. Falling out of the Top 100 is a statistical sign, but the broader question is whether she can stabilize her body and, in doing so, find her place among the great names in tennis.