Francisco Cerundolo expressed his dissatisfaction with the scheduling at the Rio Open following his second-round retirement against Thiago Tirante. The Argentine player, currently ranked World No. 19, faced significant challenges after competing just days prior at the Argentina Open, where he clinched his first title in Buenos Aires.
Cerundolo swiftly traveled to Brazil, where he played his first round match on Tuesday against Mariano Navone, winning in straight sets. However, the tournament scheduled his second-round match for Wednesday, just 24 hours later, contrary to his request for a Thursday slot, similar to other matches in that round. Following his retirement with the score at 2-6, 1-3, Cerundolo voiced his frustrations, indicating that his physical condition was less than ideal after an intense week leading up to the match, including a significant travel distance.
In his remarks, Cerundolo underscored that he had competed six out of the last seven days and had hoped for sympathetic consideration from tournament officials. “It was a pain I was carrying, but it didn’t make it impossible to play, until in the first set it started to get a bit more complicated,” he noted. Acknowledging the competitive nature of the match, he admitted that without being at full capacity, it was tough to compete against Tirante.
In response to Cerundolo’s claims, the Rio Open management refuted any acknowledgment of a scheduling request from the player. They emphasized their adherence to ATP protocols, highlighting their commitment to equitable treatment for all athletes involved. The tournament reiterated that their decisions consider the needs of players, fans, and television broadcasts to maintain transparency.
Looking ahead, Cerundolo is set to travel to Santiago for the Chile Open, where he will again be the top seed and a leading contender for the title. He aims to rebound in this next leg of the South American Golden Swing, defending the semifinal achievements he accomplished in 2025.