Badosa called the Greek 'toxic' and revealed that the tough breakup affected her on the court.
"I’ve been through a lot of breakups in my life, I accept them and I know things are the way they are. But when there are toxic things around, it makes everything much harder than a normal breakup," she said.
"You can have a great relationship with an ex because they’re normal people and it’s a normal relationship. But when it’s not like that... I don’t need to explain any further. You can see every day that the other person makes everything harder," fired the Spaniard.
Paula also shared that she came very close to quitting tennis right after getting injured again during the WTA 1000 in Madrid in April.
“After Madrid I had to stop, mentally it was too much for me. I couldn’t find a way to see a light (at the end of the tunnel), but I’ve been doing everything I can. A year ago, I was in the top 10, and seeing where I am now isn’t easy. That’s the professional side. On the personal side, the process hasn’t been easy either, trying to clear a lot of things from my life," she said.
“Finally, it’s been a few months since I’ve been in a good environment, but getting past the toxic things around me wasn’t easy. But it’s something you have to go through as a woman, and I’m feeling strong again," she added, once again referencing her breakup with Tsitsipas.
"Now I want to see tomorrow’s headlines: 'Paula attacks Tsitsipas'," said the Spaniard as she left the press room, laughing with the journalists. “Well, he deserves it!" she concluded.
Emotional after beating Gauff
Badosa came from behind to defeat American Gauff, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the tournament’s second round on the German grass.
The former world No. 2 couldn’t hold back tears during her on-court interview, recalling that it was in Berlin last year that she suffered a serious back injury that nearly ended her season.
"I’m really happy I managed to win like this," she said.
When asked by Flashscore if the big win over Gauff could be a turning point, the Spaniard preferred to stay grounded.
"Getting back to the top is the goal, but it’s still far away. It’s step by step. I’m coming off a really tough loss, I have to be honest. But I know the level of my game has always been there. The level never left," Badosa admitted.
"It’s just a matter of putting the pieces together and staying mentally strong. I’ve been training really well lately and facing these top players. It’s about clicking and believing at the right moments, like I did today. If I keep up this level, things will happen. That’s why I keep coming back: because I still believe there’s a chance to be where I want to be," she said.
