Julia Grabher Starts Strong in Madrid with Key Wins at WTA Tournament

Julia Grabher achieved a significant upset at the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open by defeating former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in the first round on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

The Austrian tennis player secured a 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-0 victory over the Spaniard, marking her first win against Badosa and evening their head-to-head record at 1-1.

Grabher’s performance was highlighted by her ability to break Badosa’s serve multiple times, particularly in the decisive third set where she won six consecutive games after dropping the second set.

The match took place on the clay courts of Madrid, where Grabher demonstrated effective use of her game despite the tournament’s altitude, which typically reduces the effectiveness of long, slow rallies – one of her strongest weapons according to pre-match analysis.

With the win, Grabher earned €10,300 in prize money, bringing her total earnings for the tournament to €31,585 after the match. A victory in her second-round match against Leylah Annie Fernandez would add another €22,525, potentially bringing her total to €54,110 for the event.