Not about rankings or her next opponent. On October 8, 2026, Paula Badosa addressed girls and boys taking part in Laureus programs around the world. That day, the organization announced the tennis player as its new Laureus Sport for Good ambassador. In a message published on Laureus.com, Badosa spoke about how sport can change lives and offered young people a simple guiding principle: never give up.

A message for those just starting out

In its announcement, Laureus highlighted Badosa’s message of resilience. Paula herself emphasized that she wants to inspire young people through sport. Europa Press, AS and Mundo Deportivo reported this on the day of her appointment. But her message was not limited to a professional athlete offering advice to those just starting out. Badosa also spoke about what she learns from the program participants.

Paula Badosa, Laureus.com, October 8, 2026: “If I had one message for the girls and boys in Laureus programs around the world, it would be: ‘never give up.’”api.tennis

Badosa’s connection with the movement’s work began before her appointment. According to Laureus, she had previously visited a Sport for Good program in New York, the city where she was born. The organization noted this longstanding connection in its announcement. So Paula’s words about the Laureus mission are also grounded in her personal experience of the program.

On Laureus.com, the tennis player called her new role an honor and said she had seen firsthand how the movement’s mission changes the lives of young people around the world. Paula did not put her own sporting challenges at the center of the story, though. Speaking about the children, she emphasized the seriousness of the challenges they themselves face.

Paula Badosa, Laureus.com, October 8, 2026: “These children… their challenges are far greater than those of any professional athlete, and they inspire me much more than I inspire them.”api.tennis

Laureus: more than an awards ceremony

The name Laureus is associated with its annual sports awards, but the movement’s work goes beyond handing out trophies. According to information from Ayuntamiento de Madrid, the Laureus World Sports Awards were established by the Laureus Academy in 2000. Alongside the awards, the organization funds Sport for Good programs. Badosa has become an ambassador for this movement.

The 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony took place on April 20 at Madrid’s Palacio de Cibeles. Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were among the award winners. The Laureus Sport for Good Award went to the Fútbol Más project for its social impact through soccer in 11 countries, the organization reported. This is a separate award: the October news about Badosa concerns her appointment as an ambassador.

According to Laureus and Europa Press, Paula has joined the Spanish network of Academy members and ambassadors, which includes Raúl, Carles Puyol, Juan Mata, Gerard Piqué, Óscar de Marcos, Álex Corretja, Marc Márquez and Jorge Lorenzo. The movement had expanded its circle of ambassadors earlier this year, too: multiple world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce joined in April.

This is not Badosa’s first public-facing role outside tournaments. Since February 25, 2022, she has served as an Iberdrola ambassador for equality in sport, the company said in a press release. Her work with Laureus Sport for Good is now another addition to that side of her career.

A comeback that became part of the announcement

Laureus and Europa Press linked Badosa’s appointment to her 2026 comeback after injuries derailed the previous season. Her sporting background matters here not as a list of results. The organization itself included it in its account of the new ambassador and her message to young program participants.

One of the standout moments of her comeback came on June 17. In Berlin, Badosa defeated world No. 7 Coco Gauff (1-6, 6-3, 6-2) to reach the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 tournament. After the match, she said through tears: “I finally saw myself on court today.” Cadena SER shared these words and her emotional on-court interview.

Paula won the WTA 125 tournament in Bastad in July and reached the final of the WTA 250 tournament in Iași, where she retired. According to an AS report from July 18, she had earned her ninth consecutive win at tour and WTA 125 level on her way to the final. Badosa described her approach at the time: “I believed in myself and my game. I was a fighter.”

Behind this season is a career that includes a WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells in 2021 and a rise to No. 2 in the world rankings on April 25, 2022. These achievements are recorded by the WTA. According to the latest statistics, Badosa is ranked 59th, with a 2026 season record of 27 wins and 18 losses. The October appointment adds a new off-court role to her sporting story.

Navratilova’s welcome and upcoming plans

Badosa was welcomed by Martina Navratilova, a member of the Laureus Academy. In a comment published by the organization, she said Paula’s values aligned with the movement’s goals. Spanish outlets Europa Press, AS and Mundo Deportivo also highlighted her message to young people and the theme of resilience in their coverage of the appointment.

Martina Navratilova, Laureus.com, October 8, 2026: “I’m thrilled that Paula has joined the Laureus family as its new ambassador.”api.tennis

Meanwhile, Badosa is preparing for the final stretch of the season. According to Eurosport España reports from October 8-10, after a break in China, she is scheduled to return to court at the WTA 250 tournament in Osaka from October 19 to 25. Her next event is expected to be a tournament in the same category in Guangzhou, which will run from October 26 to November 1.