Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa has spoken about the importance of using her platform to advocate for openness and honesty in sport, telling delegates at the World Sports Summit in Dubai that finding her voice was a deliberate and deeply personal journey.
Addressing fellow athletes, sports leaders, and policymakers, Badosa reflected on the years it took to establish herself at the top level — both professionally and personally.
“It took years,” Badosa said. “I had to build my own name, working on myself for a long time. But I always had something very clear in my mind — that one day, if I had a voice, I wanted to speak up.”
Using Her Voice for Change
Badosa explained that her decision to speak openly was driven by a desire to normalise challenges that many athletes face but rarely discuss.
“I think it’s very important to speak up,” she said. “When it happened to me, I told myself that if one day I had a voice, I would use it to normalise something that is normal.”
She added that conversations with other athletes reinforced her belief that such struggles are widely shared across sport, regardless of discipline or status.
“After going through it and speaking with so many athletes, you realise that we all face the same things,” she said.
Creating Space for Honesty in Sport
Badosa’s remarks aligned with the summit’s broader focus on athlete wellbeing, leadership, and inclusivity. Her message highlighted the importance of creating environments where athletes feel empowered to speak openly without fear of stigma.
By sharing her experience, Badosa said she hopes to encourage younger athletes to prioritise self-awareness and mental strength alongside performance.
A Growing Role Beyond Competition
As one of Spain’s leading tennis players, Badosa’s willingness to speak candidly reflects a growing movement within elite sport toward transparency, empathy, and shared understanding.
Her appearance at the World Sports Summit reinforced the idea that modern athletes play a vital role not only in competition, but also in shaping healthier and more supportive sporting cultures worldwide.
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- Remarks by Paula Badosa, Spanish professional tennis player
World Sports Summit, Dubai
