Paula Badosa wanted a fresh start after a difficult season, but a report about her coaching change quickly overshadowed things. The former world No. 2 publicly challenged a major tennis publication after it detailed the circumstances behind her separation from longtime coach Pol Toledo. Badosa did not dispute the decision to move on. Instead, she took issue with the claims surrounding it and questioned why the publication had not verified the information directly with her.

“First of all, all this information is incorrect, and before posting something about a person, it would be good to verify it directly with them.

“Second, yes, it’s a decision I’ve made because I need a change and I want to have someone who helps me bring out my best version, since this year’s results have shown that it hasn’t been that way.

“So, with my sights already set on 2027. Thanks to everyone who’s always there!”

Badosa posted the response on X after journalist David Orenes shared a report written by him and published by Eurosport about her plans following Toledo’s departure. The October 16 article, titled “Paula Badosa defines her team until the end of the year after Pol Toledo’s departure, a decision due to “being at his limit”,” claimed that:

“Paula made the decision to part ways after reaching her breaking point, due to a “lack of professionalism” reflected in her results.” [Translated]

It also reported that Carlos Silvestre, a member of her team who had worked as her hitting partner, would accompany her through the final three tournaments of the season.

Later, Badosa also posted an Instagram story from her profile where she stated:

“Following recent reports, I wanted to clarify that I made the decision to part ways professionally with Pol. I’m grateful for our time working together and wish him all the best. For the remainder of the season, I’ll continue with my current team, focusing on my tennis and enjoying competing. Looking forward to finishing the year strong and excited for what’s ahead in 2027!”

The exchange took another turn when Orenes posted a follow-up message on X, indicating that the two had spoken and cleared up the matter. “Everything cleared up now with Paula. Thanks @paulabadosa and sorry again if there’s anything that might have caused any bother,” he wrote.

The original report came just days after Toledo announced the end of their nearly four-year professional partnership. His farewell message reflected on their shared achievements, including Badosa’s 2025 Australian Open semifinal appearance, a run that made her return to the Top 10 for the first time since October 2022, and her 2024 Washington title.

Now, Badosa’s own explanation points to a difficult 2026 campaign and her desire to find a setup that can help her return to her best level. That does not establish that Toledo was responsible for her struggles, but it does show that Badosa believes a change is necessary as she plans for 2027.

Her ranking offers some context. After physical setbacks disrupted her progress, Badosa fell outside the top 100 in March and dropped as low as No. 142 during the season. The decline was a major setback for a player who once reached No. 2 in the world.

She later recovered ground through a strong run on the clay courts, including a title at the WTA 125 event in Båstad and a final in Iași. Those results helped her climb back towards the top 60, although consistency remained a challenge.

Badosa also spoke openly about the mental strain of her season. In an October interview with the US Open Official Website, she reflected on how difficult the start of the year had been.

“Sometimes I see the negative side, always the bad side of me. Sometimes I have doubts, but I know I belong here and that the ranking I have now isn’t where it’s supposed to be for the level I am capable of.”

And despite going from No. 142 in June to No. 58, Badosa remains unhappy with her ranking, while emphasizing that things will fall into place eventually. She recently told MARCA that lifting a Grand Slam trophy is her ultimate goal, until the day she walks away from Tennis.

“Yes, it will always be like that until the day I retire, whether you ask me when I’m 20, 29, or 35. Until the last day I play a match, that will be my goal, mainly because I’m an ambitious person who needs big goals,” Badosa said just three days ago.

Her recent results underline the mixed picture. At the China Open in Beijing on October 3, Badosa lost to Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(5), 7-5 after holding a 5-3 lead in both sets. She had chances to close out each set but could not convert them. The defeat was another frustrating result in a season that had shown signs of improvement but had not delivered the sustained run she wanted.

How a childhood friendship became a professional partnership

The relationship between Badosa and Toledo predates their work together by many years. In his January 2025 interview with El País, Toledo explained that they first became friends as children after Badosa’s first coach, Marcelo Wieliwis, encouraged him to play tennis with a talented young girl. The two remained close with each other, as they pursued their respective careers in tennis.

That history gave their working relationship a different starting point from the usual player–coach arrangement.

“And the good thing about that,” he said, “is that I can tell her everything I think, even if she doesn’t like it. Sometimes, people who are this good don’t like hearing the truth.”

There were challenges as well. “And the bad things? Sometimes we argue more than usual,” Toledo joked.

Toledo’s route into coaching was not conventional. He had competed professionally, mainly on the Challenger and ITF circuits, and reached a career-high ranking of No. 372 in 2018. He retired from professional tennis at 28 and initially had no firm plan to become a full-time coach. Instead, he began working at a club in the United States, coaching a player there.

The opportunity with Badosa arose unexpectedly. While he was still working at the club, Toledo travelled to Miami to watch her play. She told him she did not have a coach at the time and asked whether he could accompany her to Charleston. Their reunion led to a coaching partnership that began in 2023, with Toledo joining Badosa’s team during the spring.

Toledo admitted the nerves because of the little experience he had back then. “Every player is different. I’ve learned how to communicate with her. I’ve learned many things. For me, it’s a daily learning process. When I started, I had no experience. And I still have a lot to learn because I’ve only been doing this for two years, unlike other coaches. But I’m progressing little by little,” he told AS last year.

Now, after their separation, Toledo doesn’t wish to rush into anything.

“Now it’s time to take some time to rest, recharge my energy, and look ahead with calmness and enthusiasm. Ready for whatever comes next,” he said in his farewell message.