Francisco Cerundolo Reveals How He Rediscovered His Love for Tennis After Historic Run at Queen’s: “I Was at Odds with Life”

Francisco Cerundolo admitted that he really had a tough time while he was competing at the French Open. He was just not enjoying playing, and so he stepped away from tennis for a while to rediscover his drive.

Cerundolo suffered a five-set defeat at the hands of Zachary Svajda in the third round of the French Open. But at the Queen’s Club Championships, the 27-year-old came from a set down to clinch a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3 win over Tommy Paul, winning his career’s fifth singles title. At the press conference after his win, the Argentine ace revealed what he was going through during the French Open.

I was at odds with tennis, with life. I wasn’t enjoying it. It’s part of professional sports; it happens to a lot of people, but folks don’t get it: they think you’re a machine. Sometimes things off the court aren’t in the best shape, and inside, with all the tension and nerves, every emotion comes bubbling to the surface. Could I have done better? Probably, if I’d had the calm and clarity I have this week. But I wasn’t enjoying it; I’d step onto the court just to play for the sake of playing.

It was Cerundolo’s second title of the season. Earlier this year, he lifted the Argentina Open by defeating Luciano Darderi. It was also his career’s second grass-court title, following the 2023 Eastbourne International he clinched by defeating Paul.

Unfortunately, in our line of work, you have a bad day, and the whole world finds out: you’re exposed. You’re front-page news everywhere. I calmed down, came back to Buenos Aires, and took a week off. I needed to step away and rediscover some of that drive. It took rebuilding it day by day. I had no expectations: I lost every practice set, though day by day I was playing a bit better. I ended up playing spectacularly, flowing like it was my natural surface.

Francisco Cerundolo added

Cerundolo will next be competing at the Eastbourne International, where the third seed will face compatriot Thiago Agustin Tirante or wild card Jacob Fearnley. First seed Taylor Fritz will compete as the defending champion.

Francisco Cerundolo dedicates his Queen’s title to his dad

Before this Queen’s event, Francisco Cerundolo‘s dad, Alejandro Cerundolo, had never seen his son play outside of Argentina because of his phobia of flying. But he came just in time to see the tennis ace clinch the Queen’s title after the longest final in the tournament’s history.

I want to thank my family, who just arrived for the last two games, coming all the way from Argentina. It’s the first time my father took a flight to watch me play outside Argentina, so I want to thank him for that. Today is Father’s Day in Argentina, so this is for you.

Francisco Cerundolo said during the trophy presentation

Before this tournament, Cerundolo had never won a title above the ATP 250 level. Cerundolo, who now leads 6-2 in the head-to-head matchups against Tommy Paul, spent 11 hours and 33 minutes on court during his campaign, as four of his five matches went to a decider.

Paul, the champion at the Queen’s in 2024, couldn’t play the following season due to an abdominal injury. The only title he has so far lifted is the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships, losing the title clashes of the Delray Beach Open, Hamburg Open, and the Queen’s event. The last time Paul won an ATP 500 title was at Queen’s in 2024.

Next week, the Wimbledon Championships will kick off. World No.1 Jannik Sinner will play as the defending champion, while Carlos Alcaraz, who reached the finals in the previous three Wimbledon, will miss it due to a wrist injury.

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