New Delhi: Paula Badosa fired back at a “disrespectful” social media comment and promised to prolong her injury-hit career after a right thigh problem forced the Spaniard to retire from her round of 32 match against Elina Svitolina at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

She made her way back into the world’s top 10 last year with strong performances after back-to-back injuries, including a chronic back problem, which left her contemplating early retirement in 2024.

The former world no.2 got off to a promising start and took a 4-1 lead against Svitolina. However, the Australian Open semi-finalist made a comeback and won five consecutive games to clinch the first set. After that, the Spaniard called for treatment and then decided to retire. She had been preparing for the season well, but the injury issues have once again returned to trouble her.

‘Trust me, I’m the first one suffering with pain’: Badosa hits back

The Spaniard stood up for herself on social media against an X user, who wrote that “Paula Badosa is so disrespectful to the game, you just cannot retire/withdraw from every tournament.”

Badosa said that she wakes up every day not knowing how her body will respond, and no one has any idea what it’s like to live with chronic injury.

“You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going. To wake up everyday not knowing how your body will respond, searching for solutions, and fighting for something you love and give everything even when it’s so difficult,” she wrote.

You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going. To wake up everyday not knowing how your body will respond, searching for solutions, and fighting for something you love and give everything even when it’s so difficult. Trust me I’m the…

— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa)

The Spaniard further added that she’s the first one suffering with pain and having endless nightmares to try to find solutions every single day. Badosa further added that she’ll keep trying, and it’s all about trying that won’t change.

“Trust me I’m the first one suffering with pain and having endless nightmares to try to find solutions every single day and for me after all stepping on a tennis court, makes worth everything every time. So I’ll keep trying. Because it’s all about trying and that won’t change. I’ll always try one more time,” she added.

The former world no.2 also said that she’s doing this for her passion and herself, and if there’s 1% change to keep going, she’ll take it.

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to follow me. And I’m so sorry to inform you I won’t retire so you’ll keep seeing me for a while. Change channel next time,” she said.

The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) told Reuters that protecting tennis players and the wider family from online threats and abuse remained a high priority for the governing body.