After becoming the first player to defend his title at the Rio Open presented by Claro, Argentine Sebastian Baez revealed that he almost didn’t play the ATP 500 this year.
“Last week I was playing in Buenos Aires and I lost to [Thiago] Wild at the second round and I had to make a decision the next day if I was playing in Rio or not. For the results I was having I thought it was a good idea not to come”, said Baez, who is in a 10-game winning streak in the biggest ATP 500 of South America.
“I talked to my coach, Guti [Sebastian Gutierrez], and he said I should face all the challenges with my head up high and keep on fighting no matter the situation. He said I should be brave and work hard. So looking back right now I can say it was a very good decision to come”, added the 24-year-old Argentine.
Baez now has 7 ATP Tour titles, six them on clay and four in South America. He also leads the ATP Tour with most clay wins since the start of 2022 season, 72, and joined Juan Martin del Potro and Leonardo Mayer as only Argentine players with multiple ATP 500 titles since the series began in 2009 _Del Potro won seven and Mayer, two.
“It's really nice to win two titles in a row here in Rio, a place that has a special place in my heart. To receive the trophy from Del Potro was even more special and I good photo to have. I’m really happy and I hope that I can keep the momentum and have a good season ahead of me”, said Baez.
“Last week I was playing in Buenos Aires and I lost to [Thiago] Wild at the second round and I had to make a decision the next day if I was playing in Rio or not. For the results I was having I thought it was a good idea not to come”, said Baez, who is in a 10-game winning streak in the biggest ATP 500 of South America.
“I talked to my coach, Guti [Sebastian Gutierrez], and he said I should face all the challenges with my head up high and keep on fighting no matter the situation. He said I should be brave and work hard. So looking back right now I can say it was a very good decision to come”, added the 24-year-old Argentine.
Baez now has 7 ATP Tour titles, six them on clay and four in South America. He also leads the ATP Tour with most clay wins since the start of 2022 season, 72, and joined Juan Martin del Potro and Leonardo Mayer as only Argentine players with multiple ATP 500 titles since the series began in 2009 _Del Potro won seven and Mayer, two.
“It's really nice to win two titles in a row here in Rio, a place that has a special place in my heart. To receive the trophy from Del Potro was even more special and I good photo to have. I’m really happy and I hope that I can keep the momentum and have a good season ahead of me”, said Baez.
