Paula Badosa exits Madrid Open in first round as struggles continue

Paula Badosa’s hopes of ending a winless streak at the Mutua Madrid Open were dashed in the opening round, as she fell to Austria’s Julia Grabher in three sets: 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-0. The loss marks Badosa’s twelfth defeat of the 2026 season in twenty-one matches and extends her winless run at the Caja Mágica to three years.

Badosa, who entered the tournament ranked world No. 106, had shown promise early in the contest. She held two set points in the first set while leading 5-3 but failed to convert, eventually losing the tie-break. After dropping the opening set, Badosa responded by winning the second set 6-4 to force a decider. However, she was unable to sustain her level, dropping the final set 6-0 as Grabher dominated the proceedings.

The result leaves Badosa without a victory at Madrid since her semifinal appearance in 2021, when she lost to then-world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty. She has not won a match at the Caja Mágica since that appearance, withdrawing due to injury in 2024 and losing in the first round in both 2023, and 2025.

Grabher, ranked world No. 107, secured her second main-draw win of the 2026 season, following her success at the Australian Open. The Austrian will face Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the second round. Badosa’s loss means she will remain outside the world’s top 100, jeopardizing her direct entry into the French Open, which begins on May 18 in Paris.

During the match, Badosa received support from her player’s box, including Spanish television presenter David Broncano, Billie Jean King Cup captain Carla Suárez, and her coach Pol Toledo. Despite their presence, she was unable to turn the tide after losing the first set.

The tournament also featured a surprise visit from Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2, who attended despite missing the event due to a right wrist injury sustained during his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Machac. Alcaraz interacted with fans upon arrival, signing autographs and posing for photos. His participation in the French Open remains uncertain pending further medical evaluation.

Elsewhere in the draw, Jessica Bouzas advanced to the second round after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1, 6-1. Bouzas, ranked world No. 50, is making her third appearance at the Madrid Open but has never progressed beyond the second round.

Looking ahead, Madrid native Rafa Jódar, ranked world No. 42, is set to make his tournament debut on Wednesday, with his first-round match against Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong scheduled to begin no earlier than 7:00 p.m. Local time.

Badosa’s next opportunity to break her losing streak will approach in the qualifying rounds for the French Open, should she fail to receive a wild-card invitation to the main draw.

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