KITZBÜHEL/STARNBERG, July 19, 2026
In a finale that could hardly have been scripted more perfectly, Sinja Kraus won the Generali Open Ladies Kitzbühel, beating fellow Austrian Julia Grabher 6–3, 6–1 to claim the title at the first international women’s tournament held in Kitzbühel in more than three decades.
For years, tournament organizers Markus Bodner and Herbert Günther had dreamed of bringing top-level women’s tennis back to the famous Tyrolean venue. That comeback ended with an all-Austrian final and a home victory in front of a packed Center Court.
With the triumph, Kraus becomes the first Austrian woman to win a clay-court title in Kitzbühel since Petra Ritter in 1988. Following her success in Cali earlier in 2025, it is also the second WTA 125 title of her career. The victory will lift the 24-year-old into the Top 80 of the WTA Rankings for the first time.
Kraus made a nervous start and immediately dropped her opening service game to fall behind 0–2. Grabher, however, was unable to hold the advantage for long. Kraus broke back for 2–2, settled into the match, and surged ahead 5–2.
Rain then interrupted the final for more than 90 minutes, creating a significant test of patience for both players. When play resumed, Kraus stayed composed and closed out the opening set 6–3.
The second set was far more one-sided. Kraus earned an early break, grew increasingly confident, and dictated the rallies with aggressive, controlled baseline play. Against her friend and doubles partner, Grabher had few answers as Kraus raced through the set 6–1 to seal the title.
“I’m super happy with the win today,” Kraus said afterward. “We can both be very satisfied with a fantastic week. The atmosphere was incredible. I still can’t quite believe it.”
Grabher was gracious in defeat. “It was great fun playing here,” she said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t produce my best tennis today, which is of course a little disappointing. But Sinja played extremely well—congratulations to her.”
Kraus also addressed her opponent personally: “Julia, I much prefer being on the same side of the court with you in doubles. But we can both be very proud of this week.”
Tournament director Carmen Huber also gave a highly positive assessment of the event’s return. She praised the enthusiastic feedback from the players and highlighted the benefits of staging the WTA 125 tournament alongside the established ATP 250 event, with both tournaments sharing infrastructure, facilities, and organizational expertise.
“Our goal is to keep women’s tennis in Kitzbühel for the long term and develop the tournament step by step,” Huber said, while also thanking the staff and volunteers who helped make the successful premiere possible.
