Paula Badosa announced as Laureus Ambassador and shares message of resilience
Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa has today been announced as a Laureus Ambassador, strengthening her long-standing relationship with the movement.
The 28-year-old – who has previously visited a Laureus Sport for Good programme in New York, the city of her birth – spoke of her desire to engage with the young people whose lives are changed by the work of Laureus across the world.
Badosa brings to Laureus not only star power, but an inspirational message of resilience. After injuries disrupted her 2025 season, she has fought her way back in 2026, showing the resilience and determination that have defined her career.
Following her victory over two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff in Berlin, Badosa posted that ‘Giving up was never an option’ – words that have become something of a personal motto for her. In an emotional on-court interview after her win over Gauff in Berlin, Badosa said: “I finally saw myself on court today.”
Badosa brings to Laureus not only star power, but an inspirational message of resilience. After injuries disrupted her 2025 season, she has fought her way back in 2026, showing the resilience and determination that have defined her career.
Following her victory over two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff in Berlin, Badosa posted that ‘Giving up was never an option’ – words that have become something of a personal motto for her. In an emotional on-court interview after her win over Gauff in Berlin, Badosa said: “I finally saw myself on court today.”
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Laureus Ambassador Paula Badosa said: “I am honoured to become a Laureus Ambassador. I have witnessed first-hand how the Laureus mission has improved the lives of young people across the world and I cherish those memories of young people smiling and enjoying everything we love about sport.
“If I had one message for the girls and boys in Laureus programmes around the world, it would be ‘never give up’. Resilience has been at the heart of my own story and I want to use my platform to demonstrate how sport can bring out qualities of perseverance and determination in young people. Those are qualities that can last a lifetime and without them I would not still be competing. These kids, their challenges are far greater than any professional athlete and they inspire me far more than I could ever inspire them.”
Badosa’s announcement bolsters Laureus’ growing presence in Spain, as the tennis star joins a network of Spanish Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors that includes football legends Raúl, Carles Puyol, Juan Mata, Gerard Pique and Óscar de Marcos, former tennis World No.2 Àlex Corretja and MotoGP Champions Marc Márquez and Jorge Lorenzo.
Laureus Academy Member and tennis legend Martina Navratilova said: “I am thrilled that Paula has joined the Laureus family as a new Ambassador. Her drive as an athlete and ambition to make a positive difference through sport align perfectly with the Laureus values.”
“If I had one message for the girls and boys in Laureus programmes around the world, it would be ‘never give up’. Resilience has been at the heart of my own story and I want to use my platform to demonstrate how sport can bring out qualities of perseverance and determination in young people. Those are qualities that can last a lifetime and without them I would not still be competing. These kids, their challenges are far greater than any professional athlete and they inspire me far more than I could ever inspire them.”
Badosa’s announcement bolsters Laureus’ growing presence in Spain, as the tennis star joins a network of Spanish Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors that includes football legends Raúl, Carles Puyol, Juan Mata, Gerard Pique and Óscar de Marcos, former tennis World No.2 Àlex Corretja and MotoGP Champions Marc Márquez and Jorge Lorenzo.
Laureus Academy Member and tennis legend Martina Navratilova said: “I am thrilled that Paula has joined the Laureus family as a new Ambassador. Her drive as an athlete and ambition to make a positive difference through sport align perfectly with the Laureus values.”
