Five things to know: Cerundolo's Cordoba dream run

Before he blew through the Cordoba field last week, 19-year-old Juan Manuel Cerundolo had not played in an ATP tour-level main-draw event. A week later, he would become the latest to claim a maiden title—doing it on his home soil.

Here are five things to know about the Argentine:

1

Cinderella Run

Unseeded, Cerundolo had to come through qualifying to claim a spot in the main draw. The 19-year-old, whose ranking jumped 154 spots to No. 181 following his fairytale run, won eight matches in nine days en route to his first career tour-level title. In the final, he rallied to defeat No. 5 seed and tour veteran Albert Ramos Vinolas, 6-0, 2-6, 6-2.

“I honestly can’t believe it,” Cerundolo said. “It’s been an unforgettable experience, I will never forget this moment. I’m super happy and even more because it’s in Argentina, in my home with all my friends and family cheering me on. It was such a unique experience. I will never forget it.”

2

Family Affair

His older brother Francisco, 22, was also entered in the main draw, but lost in the second round. Francisco was ranked at a career-high of No. 135 at the time, and has since dropped two spots to No. 137.

“Both of us playing together here was just incredible,” Juan Manuel said. “And now I’m seeing the posts he’s been making about me [on social media] and what he thinks, it makes me so happy.”

3

Making History

With his title run on Sunday, Cerundolo became the first player to win an ATP tour-level title in his main draw debut since Spain’s Santiago Ventura captured Casablanca in 2004—his lone title. Cerundolo also became the first Argentine in the Open Era to go all the way in his main-draw debut.

Ranked No. 335 at the start of the week, the teen also became the lowest-ranked player to win a career ATP title since No. 355 Pablo Andujar at the 2018 Marrakech, and the fifth lowest-ranked since 1990.

4

Before the Pros

In 2017, Cerundolo won four ITF Junior Circuit boys’ singles titles—he reached a career-high junior ranking of No. 9. In 2019, the Argentine claimed three ITF men’s singles trophies: in Santiago, Helsinki and Tabarka.

5

Football Fan

Like most South Americans, Cerundolo is a huge football fan, counting countryman Lionel Messi as one of his idols.

“I honestly love football, and even more because I play FIFA on Playstation. It’s definitely a vice for me! As far as idols, Messi and Neymar are the two current players that I like the most, and also Cristiano Ronald. His mentality and how much of a champion he is just drives me crazy.”