The claycourt season doesn’t properly get underway until April when players have no other option than to play on the red stuff, but the Latin American summer offers an escape from reality for a group of players who build their ranking around their results on clay.
The first of this four tournament swing took place in Ecuador last week where Victor Estrella amazingly defended his title at the Ecuador Open with a three-set victory over Thomaz Bellucci in the final. The Dominican, whose ranking could have plummetted with the amount of points he was defending, has all-but guaranteed the reassurance of keeping his name amongst the top 100 players in 2016.
Moving on to Buenos Aires, a city that lives and breathes tennis (when football sleeps of course), various big names have decided to turn up at the Argentina Open. Some, like Rafa Nadal, as a last minute decision to try and turn a page on his disappointing first round exit at the Australian Open. The former world number one has opted to play at a city he holds close to his heart and where he won the title twelve months ago in an attempt to kickstart his season. “I lost early in Australia and I didn’t want to go too long without competing. It’s a tournament where I feel comfortable, last year I had an unforgettable experience and the affection I receive from the people here is very special. I’m very happy to be here”, said the Majorcan who could face close friend Juan Monaco in the second round, as the Argentine player makes his comeback to the tour after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a wrist injury.
Monaco last hit a ball at an ATP event in Kitzbuhel back in August. An injury that had hampered him in previous seasons could have put an end to his career and Pico struggled to hold back the tears. Just like Nadal, Monaco will look towards this claycourt swing to build much needed confidence: “I’m not going to put pressure on myself by setting myself any objectives, the only thing I want to do is return and be healthy. In fact, I could have waited longer but Buenos Aires is a special tournament and I’m defending last year’s final. My greatest victory will be to be finish a match feeling healthy and feeling that I can compete again”.
Scouring through the draw, the names of players who need wins to restore a winning momentum is endless. Diego Schwartzman, Fabio Fognini, Nicolas Almagro or Santi Giraldo to name a few. They’re all aware that Latin America offers a mirage, a minor blip in the first part of a season which is dominated by fast indoor courts. Vital points are at stake for a group of players who need reserves to take on the months between now and their beloved Monte Carlos, Romes or Madrids. They’ve all travelled to a far flung corner of the globe seeking solace and hope to find it on their cherished red clay.
