Francisco Cerundolo, the top-ranked player in the South American ATP events, responded strongly to Stefanos Tsitsipas’ explanation for skipping the region’s tournaments this year. Tsitsipas cited financial reasons, preferring guaranteed fees from events like the Qatar Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships over the South American swing, which has seen few star players participate.
Cerundolo Challenges Tsitsipas’ Choice to Skip South America
Cerundolo has delivered notable performances on the South American clay courts and takes pride in the local tournaments held in Buenos Aires and Rio. When addressing Tsitsipas’ statement, Cerundolo said,
“If you don’t want to come here, don’t come.”
“All those who want to play on clay, discover South American cities, and play a different style of tennis will be more inclined to join us.”
—Francisco Cerundolo, Argentine tennis player
Flexibility of the ATP Schedule Supports Player Preferences
Cerundolo emphasized the ATP Tour’s wide range of options, which allows players to select tournaments that fit their schedules and preferences. Highlighting the calendar’s adaptability, he remarked:
“Those who don’t will head to the Middle East or straight to Acapulco. The beauty of the schedule is that players can choose the tournaments they want to play. The positive is that the calendar is flexible, aside from the Masters 1000s and Grand Slams. After that, you can pick the ATP 250s and 500s you want to play—that is, go to places where you feel most comfortable.”
—Francisco Cerundolo, Argentine tennis player
The South American swing continues to showcase players such as Joao Fonseca, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, and Cerundolo himself, maintaining competitive quality despite the absence of some top-ranked names.
Tracking Cerundolo’s Journey on South American Clay Courts
Cerundolo started the South American circuit on a high note by winning the Argentina Open, securing an ATP title on his home ground. However, his run at the Rio Open was cut short when he had to retire during his round of 16 match against Thiago Agustín Tirante due to unforeseen circumstances.
Rebounding from that setback, Cerundolo made a strong comeback at the Santiago tournament in Chile, where he defeated Elmer Møller to advance to the quarter-finals. His next opponent is American Emilio Nava, with Cerundolo aiming to extend his streak of solid performances.
Thanks to his accomplishments during this swing, Cerundolo has solidified his position within the ATP Tour’s top 20 players, underscoring the impact of his success on home and neighboring clay courts.
