Rio Open

History

The Rio Open made its debut in 2014 as an ATP 500 tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was established as a major international tennis event for South America, giving the region a prominent stop on the men’s professional circuit. The tournament is played on outdoor clay courts at the Jockey Club Brasileiro, a venue that has become closely associated with the event. Its inaugural edition immediately attracted attention because Rafael Nadal, then the world number one, entered the competition as the leading attraction. Nadal went on to win the first men’s singles title, defeating Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov 6–3, 7–6 in the final. The result gave the new tournament an immediate connection to one of the greatest clay-court players in tennis history.

In 2015, Spain’s David Ferrer became the second singles champion, defeating Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6–2, 6–3 in the final. Ferrer was renowned for his endurance, consistency and ability to grind opponents down from the baseline, qualities that suited clay particularly well. The victory helped establish the Rio Open as a tournament where experienced clay-court specialists could thrive. The early editions also included doubles competitions, adding another dimension to the event and providing opportunities for accomplished teams to compete for ATP titles in front of Brazilian spectators.

2016: Pablo Cuevas claims the title

Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas won the men’s singles title in 2016, defeating Argentina’s Guido Pella 6–4, 6–7, 6–4 in a competitive final. Cuevas was comfortable on clay and capable of producing creative shots under pressure, making him a natural fit for the tournament. His victory continued the Rio Open’s early pattern of rewarding players who could build points patiently and manage long rallies. It also reinforced the tournament’s regional importance: South American players were not merely supporting characters in the draw but serious contenders for the trophy.

2017–2018: Thiem and Schwartzman join the champions

Dominic Thiem won the 2017 title by defeating Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta 7–5, 6–4. The Austrian would go on to become one of the leading clay-court players of his generation, known for his heavy topspin forehand, powerful backhand and willingness to engage in demanding baseline exchanges. His Rio victory was an important addition to a career that included further success on clay and a Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open.

In 2018, Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman lifted the trophy after beating fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6–2, 6–3. Schwartzman was shorter than many of his ATP Tour rivals, but he built his game around exceptional movement, quick reactions and relentless returning. His triumph illustrated that success on clay does not depend on height or an overwhelming serve. Instead, anticipation, speed and tactical discipline can be just as decisive. By this point, the Rio Open had already produced a varied list of champions, each bringing a different approach to the game.

2019–2020: Djere and Garín make their mark

Serbia’s Laslo Djere won the 2019 men’s singles title, defeating Canadian teenager Félix Auger-Aliassime 6–3, 7–5 in the final. Djere’s victory was particularly notable because he was ranked outside the world’s elite when he arrived in Rio. His run demonstrated how an ATP 500 tournament can become a career-defining opportunity for a player ready to deliver several strong performances in succession. The result also gave the event another champion beyond the familiar names who dominate the biggest tennis headlines.

Chile’s Cristian Garín won the 2020 title by beating Italy’s Gianluca Mager 7–6, 7–5. Garín had built a reputation as a capable clay-court competitor, and the Rio title added an important ATP Tour achievement to his record. The 2020 tournament was the last edition before the event’s calendar gap in 2021. The Rio Open was not held in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the international tennis calendar. Its absence interrupted the tournament’s annual sequence, but the event returned in 2022 with a champion who would soon become one of the biggest names in men’s tennis.

2022: Carlos Alcaraz announces himself

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz won the 2022 Rio Open, defeating Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 6–4, 6–2 in the final. Aged 18, Alcaraz became the youngest ATP 500 champion since the category began in 2009. The victory was a significant milestone in his rise through the sport and offered a preview of the extraordinary level he would later reach. Alcaraz combined explosive movement, powerful groundstrokes and inventive shot-making, giving spectators a glimpse of a style that could shift rapidly from defence to attack. The Rio title became one of the early landmarks in his development before his subsequent Grand Slam successes and rise to the top of the world rankings.

2023: Cameron Norrie wins a memorable final

Britain’s Cameron Norrie claimed the 2023 title after overcoming Alcaraz in a three-set final, winning 5–7, 6–4, 7–5. The match was a demanding contest between two players capable of extending rallies and changing the tempo from the baseline. Alcaraz took the opening set, but Norrie responded with a disciplined performance and eventually turned the match around. His victory gave the tournament a British champion and demonstrated how quickly momentum can shift on clay. It also added another high-profile final to the Rio Open’s growing collection of matches that required patience, resilience and nerve in the decisive moments.

2024–2025: Sebastián Báez makes history

Argentina’s Sebastián Báez won the 2024 singles title by defeating compatriot Mariano Navone 6–2, 6–1. Báez’s movement and consistency made him a formidable opponent on clay, where he could use his speed to retrieve difficult shots and turn defensive positions into attacking opportunities. His victory was followed by an even more significant achievement in 2025, when he defended his title by beating France’s Alexandre Müller 6–2, 6–3. With that win, Báez became the first player to successfully defend the Rio Open men’s singles title. His back-to-back victories placed him in a category of his own in the tournament’s singles history and underlined his effectiveness on the surface.

The 2025 doubles title went to Brazilian pair Marcelo Melo and Rafael Matos, who defeated Spain’s Pedro Martínez and Jaume Munar 6–2, 7–5 in the final. The result was a welcome moment for the home crowd and continued the tournament’s tradition of showcasing high-quality doubles alongside the singles competition. Although the singles trophy has not yet been won by a Brazilian man, Brazilian players have remained an important part of the tournament’s identity and appeal.

2026: A new champion in Rio

The 2026 Rio Open took place from 16 to 22 February. Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry won the men’s singles title, defeating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 3–6, 7–6, 6–4 in the final. Etcheverry recovered after losing the opening set, forcing a deciding set by winning the second-set tie-break before completing the comeback. The victory was a major milestone: it gave him his first ATP Tour singles title. The final also showed the physical and mental demands of clay-court tennis, where a player may need to recover from a difficult start and maintain concentration through long, punishing exchanges.

In the 2026 doubles final, João Fonseca and Marcelo Melo won the title, defeating the team of Constantin Frantzen and Robin Haase. For Brazilian fans, Fonseca’s success added further interest to the event, while experienced doubles player Melo strengthened his own Rio Open legacy. The combination of a new singles champion and a home-grown doubles winner helped give the 2026 edition a distinct place in the tournament’s history.

The Rio Open’s place in modern tennis

Since its first edition in 2014, the Rio Open has developed a clear identity as a leading South American tennis tournament. Its ATP 500 status attracts established professionals, rising talents and specialist clay-court players, while the setting in Rio de Janeiro gives the event a personality beyond the competition itself. Its champions include a former world number one in Nadal, future major winners such as Thiem and Alcaraz, and players who used their success in Rio to strengthen their standing on the ATP Tour. The tournament’s history also reflects the variety of clay-court tennis: defensive specialists, aggressive baseliners and adaptable all-rounders have all found ways to win.

Looking ahead, the Rio Open remains an important fixture for fans following the ATP Tour and the development of South American tennis. The official tournament website has announced João Fonseca for the 2027 edition, scheduled for 13–21 February at a new, larger complex at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. That planned expansion points to the event’s continuing ambition and growing profile. With its combination of top-level competition, passionate supporters and a history that keeps producing new stories, the ATP Rio Open has become much more than a tournament on the clay calendar: it is a central part of the modern tennis season in South America.