Paula Badosa's run to the final of the 2026 Iasi Open was not without controversy. The former world No. 2 narrowly avoided disqualification during her semi-final victory over Tamara Zidansek, a grueling three-set affair that finished 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1). Early in the deciding set, Badosa hurled her racket off the court, with the frame landing just short of the spectators in the stands. The chair umpire issued only a code violation warning, a decision that has since drawn significant criticism.
Rennae Stubbs, a four-time Grand Slam doubles champion and current coach of Serena Williams, did not hold back on her podcast. She called the incident an "absolute disgrace" and argued for an automatic default, pointing out that once a player releases a racket, whatever happens next is entirely on them. Stubbs stressed that the only real deterrent for this kind of dangerous behavior is immediate disqualification, regardless of whether the racket actually strikes anyone.
Badosa did make it to the final, where she faced Egypt's Mayar Sherif. The Spaniard came in with a perfect record in WTA finals, having lifted trophies in Belgrade, Indian Wells, Sydney, and Washington. However, Sherif took the first set 6-4, and Badosa retired while trailing 4-0 in the second, citing physical issues. She expressed genuine regret about ending the match that way, acknowledging how much she hates leaving a final unfinished.
For Sherif, the title represented a remarkable achievement, vaulting her 22 places up the rankings to 90th. The controversy around the semi-final, though, will linger as debate continues about how officials should handle racket-throwing incidents.
TennisDraw users will want to factor in Badosa's recurring injury concerns when making their next bracket predictions involving the Spaniard.
