What are the reasons for the strong Argentine presence in the ATP ranking: there are 8 national rackets in the top 100

Get to top 100 in the world rankings It is one of the first goals that every tennis player pursues when making the leap to professionalism. Getting into that group can give a huge boost to a player’s career, because he opens doors to tournaments that would otherwise be unattainable. But breaking that barrier is no easy task, especially for Argentines. Therefore, the fact that there are eight representatives of the Albiceleste among that elite this week was cause for celebration. And rightly so, because it reflects the beautiful moment that Albiceleste tennis is experiencing and gives hope for the future.

Since the classification was first published ATPIn August 1973, 68 Argentines managed to place in the top hundred at some point in their careers. Eleven succeeded for the first time in the last five years. And this Monday the final two names were added to that list: Mariano Navonewho after being a finalist in Rio de Janeiro jumped from the 113th to the 60th step, and Thiago Tirantewhich went from 105th to 100th.

The other six placed this week in that group are Francisco Cerúndolo (20°), Sebastiano Baez (21, champion of the Rio tournament on Sunday), Tomas Etcheverry (27th), Facundo Diaz Acosta (52nd, who broke into that elite after winning the Argentina Open), Pedro Cachin (78°) e Federico Coria (88°).

It is the first time since February 2022 that blue and white tennis has seen so many players together in the top 100, with Diego Schwartzmann, Federico DelbonisFede Coria, Facundo BagnisFran Cerúndolo, Báez, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo AND Guido Pella. The record was set in June 2007, when 14 rackets were released albiceleste in that list: Guillermo Canas, Juan Ignacio Chela, David Nalbandian, Agostino Calleri, John Monaco, José Acasuso, Juan Martin del Potro, Sergio Roitmann, Mariano Zabaletta AND Diego Hartfield.

Argentina is now the third country with the most players in the top hundred of the rankings, tied for first place Australia. United States of Americawith 12, and Francewith 10, he leads this statistic this week. Spainhistorical titan, has only five – Carlos Alcaraz, Alejandro Davidovich, Roberto Carballes Baena, Jaume Munar and Roberto Bautista Agut -, the lowest number since August 1989.

The fact that national tennis is supported by these powers further increases the value of those eight names in the top 100, because the three countries with which it shares the podium live a different reality.

All three host the Grand Slam, the US Open, Roland Garros and the Australian Open. The United States also organizes three Master 1000s every year (Indian wells, You love me AND Cincinnati), one ATP 500 and six 250. France, two Masters (Montecarlo AND Paris) plus four 250s. And Australia, two tournaments in the lowest category. Argentina, meanwhile, has only two 250s, Buenos Aires AND Cordobawhich has not yet confirmed its continuity for 2025.

Why is the number of “own” tournaments important when talking about rankings? Because the competitions held in each country represent unique opportunities for local players, who take advantage of qualifiers and special invitations to earn points and climb the rankings. Díaz Acosta, for example, entered the ATP table in Buenos Aires thanks to a wild card and ended up winning the BALTC his first title and the jump into the top 100.

“Without the infrastructure of the strong powers, without economic resources, without Grand Slams, without Masters 1000, without ATP 500, but with a lot of heart and balls. Let’s do more”, wrote Fede Coria in Twittercontextualising what has been achieved this week in terms of the rankings.

THE Argentine Tennis Association For several years he has been working to “compensate” for his lack of presence in the ATP calendar with appointments at lower levels. In 2023, six matches were held in the country Challengers -Juan Manuel Cerúndolo won two and Navone, three and ten races ITF World Tour (formerly Futures), which gave Argentinians the chance to compete without having to travel to Europe or North America.

“The great present of Argentine tennis is no coincidence. Behind every tennis player who arrives there is an enormous work of clubs, teachers and coaches. And also a family effort. From the Association we have proposed to organize more competitions to encourage development. All many of them have passed through our tournaments in recent years. We are very proud of them”, analyzed Calleri, president of the AAT.

This increase in the number of tournaments in recent years, added to the fighting spirit of Argentine tennis players, who continue to fight despite adversity, means that the distance between national tennis and the nations that have a great weight in this sport is not so great in some countries. wait.

If we talk about ATP titles, the eight Argentines in the top 100 accumulate nine trophies, distributed among four players. One in the 500, the one won on Sunday by Báez in Rio, and eight in the 250 (two by Cerúndolo, four by Sebas, one by Díaz Acosta and another by Cachín). With the exception of Cordoban – who is 28 years old and one of two over 25s in the group (the other is Coria) -, the other three are part of the new Argentine generation, who have their whole career ahead of them.

The Australians have only two crowns more than the Argentines. Their sum is 500 and ten 250, with the exception that the majority (the highest ranked and six the lowest) come from Alex De Minaur, number nine in the world and 25 years old. While France does Gaël Monfils (54th at 37 years old) as the first winner, with three ATP 500s and nine in the 22 250 category which he has among his 10 top 100s.

Meanwhile, the United States is the only one on the podium with a Masters 1000 title, the one won at Indian Wells 2022 Taylor Fritz, tenth in the standings and 26 years old. And he also has two 500s and thirteen 250s.

The “invasion” of Argentines into the top 100 – and with the majority of players aged 25 or under – is a symptom of the good times that national tennis is experiencing. While thinking long term, it is advisable to celebrate with caution. Tennis is a sport that gives no respite, the rankings can be ephemeral and in the space of a few weeks the panorama can change a lot. The live ATP ranking already sees Tirante in 101st place today.

For now, however, it’s worth celebrating. Because with few economic resources, little presence on the calendar and the geographical disadvantage of being far from the most important competition centers, the Albiceleste players continue to find ways to sneak into the elite and continue to write Argentina’s rich history on the ATP circuit . .