Tennis star set for early retirement due to chronic injury gives heartwarming interview

Spanish star Paula Badosa said she was finally back "pain-free" after reaching the quarter-final of the Strasbourg Open. The 27-year-old was level at 3-3 in the first set of her clash with Marie Bouzkova when the Czech player was forced to retire hurt.

Badosa has overcome a chronic back problem to fight her way back into the world's top 10. After an injury-plagued few years, she reached the semi-finals of the in January before being beaten by eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. However, her season was then disrupted when she was due to back issues, putting her participation in doubt.

However, she's returned to the court in time to play in Paris, and after the abrupt end to her match with Bouzkova, gave a heartwarming interview. That's despite admitting she's some way off her best form.

"I'm happy to be back after two months," she said. "It was tough. It was a tough journey. I'm still very far from my level, but hopefully I can be there soon."

Badosa expressed frustration about the timing of her latest injury, admitting she struggled to overcome the blow but has said she's back pain-free again in a heartwarming update. She added: "This time for me, mentally, it hurt.

"Because I think I was playing the best tennis of my life. I was playing very well. Physically, I was feeling very well also. Stopping like this was tough for me. Finally, I'm back pain-free."

Her words came just weeks after admitting . Badosa, who takes regular painkillers, also revealed she was delaying surgery until she had to quit the sport, fearing any procedure would impact her long-term.

"I know that I am going to retire young, and the next day I will go straight to the operating room," she told Eurosport. "I know this from the race I'm in and from the problems I have with my back. If they tell me to stop at 30 or 32, then fine, but if I can endure it in some way, then I'm going to try."