Paula Badosa’s Coach Claims Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Fragile Ego was Reason Behind Breakup After Mom’s ‘Burden’ Remark

Stefanos Tsitsipas‘ mom, Julia Salnikova, recently said her introverted son couldn’t handle the constant media exposure while he was with his ex-girlfriend Paula Badosa. Salnikova also thinks the relationship with Badosa was a “burden” to her son because he was “trying too hard“.

Badosa has not reacted to the comments. But her coach, Pol Toledo, did. Toledo has hit back, putting all the blame on the Greek ace and his insecurities, claiming Tsitsipas’ fragile ego as well as his chaotic family led to the split.

He has always had a hard time accepting that Badosa shone brighter than him in the relationship. Paula has had to put up with certain things.

Pol Toledo said during his interview with El Pais

Tsitsipas and Badosa started dating earlier in 2023 and made their relationship official on Spotify, plus they also made a joint Instagram account. But both dealt with physical issues during that time and also struggled to perform well consistently.

They mutually parted ways a year later, but a few weeks afterward, they reconciled. But last year, they broke up for the last time after their early exits at Wimbledon.

She needs stability in every sense, but when things are difficult in your environment, you run a greater risk of experiencing ups and downs. That took its toll on her physically.

Pol Toledo added

Toledo slammed Tsitsipas’ family for talking too much about Badosa. Tsitsipas’ father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, is currently coaching him. During the ATP Cup back in 2021, an angry Tsitsipas accidentally hit Apostolos with his racket.

Their mid-match altercation led to their split after the 2024 Canadian Open. Tsitsipas hired Novak Djokovic‘s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, before the 2025 grass swing, but the partnership ended after Wimbledon.

Tsitsipas then rehired Apostolos. But during this year’s Madrid Open, Tsitsipas could be heard yelling at his dad, “You piece of [expletive], go to hell.”

After his breakup with the Spaniard, Tsitsipas started dating Kristen Thoms, a former collegiate tennis player. Tsitsipas recently said he prefers dating non-tennis players because there’s no competition between them. Badosa dropped a string of laughing emojis in the comment section.

Paula Badosa takes a break from tennis

Paula Badosa was last seen in action at the Madrid Open, where her run ended in the opening round. After her exit, she announced that she is taking a break from tennis to focus on her physical and mental well-being.

In Madrid, I felt completely drained. I had a conversation with my team, and I think I need some time to stop… to gather some strength and fight. I’m reaching a point where I’m exhausted. We’ve decided to stop, although we don’t know if it will be for two, three, or four weeks.

Paula Badosa said on the El Camino de Mario podcast

Badosa has been struggling with a lingering back problem and was also warned by the doctors that she would not be able to compete. But despite their advice, she chose to compete, and she is just a shadow of her former self.

Madrid Open defeat marked her third consecutive opening-round exit following the Linz Open and the Stuttgart Open. The former World No. 2 has dropped out of the top 100 and currently sits at No. 112.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former World No.3, currently sits in the No.75th spot. It was in last year’s Dubai Tennis Championships when he last lifted a title, and he hasn’t played a final since then. But the last time Badosa clinched a title was at the 2024 Citi Open.

Tsitsipas will be playing the Geneva Open before the French Open, which kicks off on May 24th. He will be up against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Keeps it Real on Potentially Playing like a Top-3 Player After Italian Open Loss