Francisco Cerundolo said he is unhappy with how his matches were scheduled at the Rio Open after retiring from his second round match.
The world No.19 called it quits when down 2-6, 1-3 to compatriot Thiago Agustín Tirante due to a right wrist issue. Cerundolo was on a five-match streak after winning the Argentina Open last week, which gave him his fourth ATP title. He was the only top-20 player playing in Rio this year.
“It hurt my right waist a little, it didn’t prevent me from playing, but it was very difficult to move sideways. When you’re not 100% physically, it gets very difficult, you can lose to anyone,” Tenis Brasil quoted Cerundolo as saying.
Elaborating further, the Argentine confirmed he requested to play his second round match on Thursday but was declined. Meaning he has to take on Tirante 24 hours after playing his first match. Home player Joao Fonseca, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini and eighth seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry all had a day off between their first two matches.
“I made a request (to play on Thursday), but they didn’t give me a chance. We know what they prioritize,” Cerundolo commented in what was a clear jibe at the organisers.
As it currently stands, the only seeded players remaining in the Rio Open draw are Etcheverry and Fonseca, with half of the second round matches still to be played. The tournament is an ATP 500 event, which will reward $461,835 to the singles champion.
The highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament, Fonseca, will take on Ignacio Buse on Thursday. Should he win, he could then play former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, who faces lucky loser Dusan Lajovic in his second round match.
Previous champions of the Rio Open include Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Dominic Thiem and David Ferrer.
