Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa may have experienced injuries that have forced them out of competition, yet that hasn’t dampened their strong bond off court. Even while experiencing physical setbacks of their own, both players still seem to enjoy one another’s company off court — most recently sharing photos from an intimate dinner date that was shared online via social media platforms like Instagram.
Their romance began in June 2023 seemingly by accident. Tsitsipas fell instantly for Badosa at the Australian Open 2020 and described his feelings for her as being like falling “in love at first sight”. Meanwhile Badosa found him “very cute, attractive,” prompting them to share moments from their connection online and with fans alike.
Their romance began to bloom around the Italian Open in Rome in 2023, setting the stage for their journey together. Badosa, in a light-hearted TikTok challenge, disclosed that Tsitsipas was the first to profess his love and initiate their first kiss. Tsitsipas has spoken warmly about Badosa, crediting her with bringing blessings into his life and proudly referring to her as both his girlfriend and life partner.
Badosa has echoed this sentiment, reflecting on how meeting Tsitsipas after a challenging injury period brought her happiness, support, and the breath of fresh air she deeply needed. Their relationship has been a source of light during tough times, according to Badosa.
Recently, the couple gave fans a peek into their personal life through an Instagram story post by Badosa, where she affectionately referred to Tsitsipas as “Kounelaki,” which means “little rabbit” in Greek.
In an unexpected twist, May 2024 saw Badosa announcing a brief separation from Tsitsipas via social media, only for them to reconcile weeks later. Tsitsipas opened up about realizing the depth of their connection and the unique place Badosa holds in his life during this hiatus.
Tsitsipas was surprised when, when asked to identify his biggest supporter, Paula Badosa wasn’t his top choice: instead he acknowledged Josep Badosa as being his #1 fan; often sporting Team Tsitsipas gear out and about with great fanaticism! Such an affectionate acknowledgement shed light on their familial ties beyond romance alone.
Tsitsipas’ comment underscores the complex mix of professional and personal support structures at play within tennis world. Her relationship with Serena Williams allows fans to contemplate these layers of support that exist not just during public performances but in quieter off-court moments as well.