Madalina Grigoriu

Madalina Grigoriu is a professional pickleball player based in Jacksonville, Florida. Originally from Târgu Jiu, Romania, Madalina Grigoriu transitioned from a successful tennis career to become a prominent figure in the pickleball community.

In 2025, she gained widespread recognition by defeating tennis legend Andre Agassi and world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters in a mixed doubles match at the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships. This victory marked a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her skill and determination on the court.

Early Life

Madalina Grigoriu was born in Târgu Jiu, Romania. Introduced to tennis at a young age by her family, she began playing at the age of 10. By 16, she had become Romania’s No. 1 female tennis player, representing her country in various international tournaments, including the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games from 2009 to 2016. Her achievements include winning multiple bronze medals in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events.

Family Life

Madalina Grigoriu is married to Joseph McClain, a Cal State Fullerton alumnus. The couple resides in Buena Park, California, where they have established their home. Madalina Grigoriu’s mother, Anh Nguyen, who emigrated from Vietnam to Orange County ten years ago, owns and operates Pho Kingdom, a Vietnamese restaurant in Anaheim.

Madalina Grigoriu’s brother, Peter Huynh, also lives in Orange County and manages Pho Kingdom alongside working at a second restaurant. Madalina Grigoriu’s father, Tung Huynh, resides in Vietnam.

Career

Transition to Pickleball

After retiring from competitive tennis, Madalina Grigoriu pursued a career in coaching. She served as an assistant coach at Washington State University from 2018 to 2021, contributing to the team’s success, including their first trip to the NCAA Championships in seven years.

Subsequently, she joined Kansas State University as an assistant coach. In 2023, Madalina Grigoriu became the head coach for the Cal State Fullerton women’s tennis team.

Madalina Grigoriu’s transition into pickleball began in 2023, and she has since participated in 19 professional tournaments, accumulating 101 career matches. Her current record stands at 43 wins and 58 losses in women’s doubles, 21 wins and 25 losses in mixed doubles, and 6 wins and 12 losses in women’s singles.

Notable Achievements

In 2025, Madalina Grigoriu gained significant attention by defeating tennis legend Andre Agassi and world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters in a mixed doubles match at the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships. This victory was a defining moment in her career, highlighting her skill and determination on the court.

Net Worth

As of now, there is no publicly available information regarding Madalina Grigoriu’s net worth.