Tennis players and fans have been left stunned after the clay courts at the Chile Open have created inconsistent bounces and unsafe conditions. Video emerged from the competition in Santiago following a rally in the qualifying round that saw the ball bouncing very little on the clay court, ending the rally. The ball was hit back with a slice, but it came to a sudden stop in the clay, ending the rally.
Players were really angry about the conditions to begin the competition. And it seems that the tournament is still facing drama without any changes. Young up-and-coming Brazilian player Joao Fonseca was also part of a frightening incident during his match against Thiago Augustin Tirante in the round of 32. The 17-year-old Brazilian lost the match after two closely contested sets, but became quite angry after slipping during a rally. Fonseca was running after a ball near the backline when his foot became stuck in the clay.
Players have been complaining about the conditions at the ATP 250 event in Santiago this week.
The ball literally dies the second it hits the clay.
Making players compete in conditions like this at the professional level is absurd.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 27, 2024
He successfully reached the forehand, but lost his balance and fell on the clay. The Brazilian was really angry and walked over to the location, then kicked the earth. Tennis journalist Jose Morgado claimed that Fonseca was only one of several players who had fallen throughout the past few days of matches.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 27, 2024
Joao Fonseca in 2024
LWLWWLWWLL Currently the world no.343 (career-high), the Brazilian played his last match on the 27th of February when he was overcome by world no.100 Thiago Agustin Tirante 7-5 7-6(3) in the 1st round in Santiago (draw).
Currently, during this season the Brazilian has a compiled 5-5 match record. Joao Fonseca’s best performance of the year was reaching the semifinal in the Buenos Aires Challenger.
Agustin Tirante in Santiago, ranking, and results in 2024
LWLWWWWWLW Now ranked no.100 (career-high), Thiago has a composed 6-5 record in 2024. Thiago is competing in Santiago where he bested the world no.343 Joao Fonseca 7-5 7-63.
Thiago Agustin Tirante will compete against the world no.140 Corentin Moutet in the 2nd round. In the past, they have never played each other till now in top competitions.
Agustin Tirante reached the final in the Punta Del Este Challenger.
He is also scheduled to play in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) after Santiago Challenger. The main draw will start on the 1st of January.
Joao Fonseca and Thiago Agustin Tirante squared off just 2 times. Their current record is 1-1. The last time they locked horns, Thiago Agustin Tirante won 7-5 7-6(3) in the 1st round in Santiago (Movistar Chile Open) on the 27th of February 2024.
