Who is Juan Manuel Cerundolo? Argentina’s Nadal regen shocks Jannik Sinner at the French Open
When Juan Manuel Cerundolo entered the Philippe-Chatrier court on Thursday, May 28, he knew what a monumental task awaited him at that moment. He was going up against world number one Jannik Sinner, who was the heavy favorite this season and on track to complete a career Grand Slam.
FRENCH OPEN DAY 5 UPDATE
Sinner was on a 30-match winning streak and secured an easy win in the second round. The first two sets and half of the third set the tabloid headlines for a routine Sinner win. At this point, however, the Italian began to cramp and suffered a sensational lapse. Cerundolo took advantage of this and started a sensational comeback.
He was 2-5 at the time and went on to score 17 points, dropping just two, as he achieved the best win of his career and advanced to the third round for the first time at a Grand Slam.
So who is Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who has become his new darling Roland Garros Victory over the world number one 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1,6-1?
WHO IS JUAN MANUEL CERUNDOLO?
Cerundolo, nicknamed Juanma, comes with a tennis line. His father Alejandro played professionally in the 1980s and his brother Francisco is seeded No. 25 at this year’s French Open.
Juan started playing tennis at the age of three and quickly took a liking to fellow left-hander Rafael Nadal for his style of play and fight for every ball.
Like the legendary Spaniard, Juan loves clay and the French Open the most.
“I’m trying to play my best. I’ll keep trying to play my best, of course it’s a tournament. I really like playing because clay is my best surface, so I hope I’ll be ready for the next match,” Cerundolo said after defeating Sinner.
Juan arrived at Roland Garros ranked 56th in the ATP rankings, but a win over Sinner means he could break into the top 50 for the first time in his career.
It was the second time he had faced Sinner in his career, losing their first meeting at Wimbledon 2023.
Cerundolo has already made his mark on the ATP Tour when he enjoyed a breakthrough moment on home soil in Cordoba in 2021. Then just 19 years old and ranked 355th in the world, he breezed through the qualifiers and won eight matches in nine days to clinch the main draw title on his ATP Tour debut.
Later last year, he reached another final on the tour in Gstaad, where he finished second to Alexander Bublik after a three-set battle.
CERUNDOLO VS CERUNDOLO AT THE FRENCH OPEN?
Juan and Francisco could be on a collision course when it comes to the French Open. Facing Hugo Gaston in the second round while Juan went up against Sinner, Francisco won his match to advance to the next round.
“I feel sorry for the French, but I hope my brother wins. All the families here are also supportive, so I hope he wins,” Cerundolo said.
Juan Manuel and Francisco also made ATP Tour history last year in Buenos Aires, becoming only the fourth pair of brothers since 2000 to face each other on tour. The sibling showdown took place in the second round of their home ATP 250 event.
If all goes according to plan, the two men could face each other in the semifinals of the tournament. Another challenge will come for Juan in the form of Martin Landulac or Vít Kopřiva.
– The end
Published on:
28 May 2026 20:01 IST