The 2026 Rio Open has been overshadowed by a scheduling dispute involving Francisco Cerundolo, who accused the tournament of favoritism toward Joao Fonseca. Cerundolo, after competing at the Argentine Open earlier in the month, claimed he was forced to play matches back-to-back without a rest day, an issue he says the organizers failed to address. Tournament officials denied the allegations, insisting all procedures followed ATP guidelines.
The situation arose when Cerundolo, currently ranked World No. 19, played the Argentine Open finals between February 12 and 16, securing victory against Luciano Darderi. Immediately afterward, he entered the Rio Open, winning his opening round against Mariano Navone on February 18. However, forced to compete again the following day without any rest, Cerundolo withdrew from his round of 16 match due to a back injury.
Cerundolo Claims Scheduling Bias After Forced Back-to-Back Matches
Addressing the media after his withdrawal, Cerundolo expressed frustration over the lack of rest between matches. He said,
“I didn’t expect to have to play two matches back-to-back between yesterday and today. I made the request so they wouldn’t schedule me like this, but they didn’t give me even a single chance. I can already imagine who they prioritize.”
This statement implied that preference was given to another competitor, Joao Fonseca, prompting discussions about fairness in the tournament’s scheduling decisions.
Tournament Organizers Deny Cerundolo’s Claims, Cite ATP Protocols
The Rio Open’s management responded swiftly, releasing a formal statement refuting the allegations. They declared that Cerundolo never formally requested a rest day, emphasizing that scheduling decisions comply strictly with ATP protocols. Their statement read,
“The Rio Open clarifies that there was no request made by the aforementioned athlete to the tournament organizers. We reiterate that all decisions are made in accordance with ATP protocols and guidelines, with complete transparency. Our commitment is always to balance the needs of athletes, the public, and national and international TV broadcasting, ensuring that all procedures follow clear and impartial rules.”
Following his withdrawal from singles, Cerundolo also withdrew from his doubles pre-quarterfinal match, citing ongoing physical issues.
Joao Fonseca Advances Smoothly in Doubles and Singles Matches
Meanwhile, Joao Fonseca has progressed confidently through the doubles draw at the Rio Open, partnering with Marcelo Melo. The pair secured a round of 16 victory over Andrea Pellegrino and Roman Andres Burruchaga, then upset the second-seeded duo of Andrés Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez in straight sets at the quarterfinal stage.
In singles competition, Fonseca defeated his compatriot Thiago Monteiro in the first round. He is now preparing to face Ignacio Buse in the round of 16, continuing his promising run in the tournament.
Impact and Future Implications of the Scheduling Dispute
The controversy surrounding Francisco Cerundolo’s schedule raises questions about player welfare and tournament fairness, especially for athletes competing back-to-back in demanding events. While organizers maintain adherence to ATP rules, the situation highlights the challenges in balancing athlete health, broadcasting needs, and tournament logistics. How the Rio Open and ATP will address such concerns moving forward remains closely watched as the tournament progresses.
