Australian Open 2025: Paula Badosa stuns Coco Gauff to reach semi-finals in upset at Melbourne Park - 'Dream come true'

Paula Badosa said it was a "dream come true" to finally break her Grand Slam semi-final duck as she beat the American third seed Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4 to reach the last four at the Australian Open. Badosa, the 11th seed, had never been beyond the quarter-finals at a major tournament until now, and she revealed that she was mightily close to retiring last year due to a consistent back injury.

'I've been through a lot' says Badosa as she basks in 'dream come true'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Paula Badosa has said that it is a "dream come true" to reach the Australian Open semi-finals as she shocked Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.

The Spaniard, the former world No. 2, had never reached a Grand Slam semi-final in her career before she defeated the third seed on Tuesday.

Badosa, the 11th seed in Melbourne, held firm to stay in the contest during a first-set onslaught from Gauff, but it was Badosa who was the one threatening a service break, with her two opportunities in the third game of the match the only break points of the opening set before she nudged her nose in front at 6-5.

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In her on-court interview afterwards, the beaming Badosa revealed that she had been within an inch of retirement, due to her constant back pain that she was managing with pain-killing injections.

"I’m a bit emotional," Badosa said. "I’m a very emotional person. Over time, something like this, in the last Slam, the quarter-finals were very tough.

"Today, I came in and wanted to play my best game. I think I did it. At the beginning, she was playing insane tennis. I’m super proud of the level I gave today.

"I’ve been through a lot. In the past, I was one of the best players in the world, but now I think I’m a better player. More mature, I manage emotions better. Not always, but sometimes. This is a dream come true.

Big shock in quarters as Badosa stuns Gauff - Australian Open highlights

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"A year ago, I was here with my back, not knowing if I had to retire from the sport. Now I’m here, playing against the best in the world. I won today, I’m in the semi-finals. I would never think that the year after I would be here."

She confirmed her previous retirement plans in her post-match press conference.

"There was one point of last year that I was pretty close because I wasn't seeing myself at the level," Badosa said.

"The back wasn't responding well. I didn't find solutions. But I wanted to keep it a last try, a last chance to finish the year and let's see how it would go.

"Well, here I am. I'm really proud of what we went through with all my team and especially how I fought through all that, especially mentally."

'Look at what it means!' - Watch reaction as Badosa beats Gauff in big upset

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Badosa will play either the top seed and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the semi-finals.

"[Sabalenka] is showing why she's the No. 1 in the world right now," Badosa said.

"She's being very consistent, very aggressive. A very intense player. She's always a really tough one to face. I faced her last year, but I think I wasn't in the form I am in now. If it's Aryna, I'm really looking forward to that match."

'Just disappointing'

Coco Gauff was reflective in her reaction to her defeat, but the young American insisted that she would deal with the loss in a more mature and better manner than a couple of years ago.

"A couple of years ago, I would feel a lot more crushed and feel like the world is ending type sadness, but now I think it is just disappointing that I could have done a little bit better in some areas," she said.

"Obviously, it's tough right after. I'm still disappointed, but I think the way I played, even though it wasn't my best, I gave it my all on the court, so that's something to be proud of."

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