The Procopio Cup was named in honor of one of the pioneers of tennis in Brazil, Alcides Procopio, and takes place at the Sociedade Harmonia de Tênis in São Paulo. The competition offers free entry for the public and rewards the champion with an invitation to the qualifying round of the Rio Open.
Format
Similar to the ATP Finals format, the Procopio Cup is contested between eight Brazilian players, with no age limit, who qualify through the ATP ranking. These players are divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. The winners of each match move on to the final, where they compete for the coveted spot in the qualifying round of South America's biggest tennis tournament.
Alcides Procopio
Among his accomplishments in promoting tennis in Brazil and globally, Alcides Procopio was the first Brazilian senior champion, the first Brazilian to win matches at Wimbledon, the first Brazilian to win an international title, and one of the founders of the Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT). One of Procopio’s greatest legacies was the creation of the Banana Bowl, considered one of the largest junior tennis tournaments in the world. Inspired by the American Orange Bowl, Procopio proposed the creation of a Brazilian version of the competition, which became an instant success. The tournament helped to promote South American tennis and saw legends of the sport such as Gustavo Kuerten, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Andy Roddick, Yannick Noah, Juan Martin Del Potro, and many others, taking giant steps towards their future stardom. Procopio also served as president of the São Paulo Tennis Federation for 19 years, known as the Golden Age of tennis in São Paulo, created the first national company for manufacturing tennis rackets and other equipment, and captained and defended the Brazilian team in the Davis Cup. His significant impact both on and off the courts is still felt today, influencing the growth of Brazilian tennis.
I Procopio Cup
On the afternoon of December 15, 2024, João Lucas Reis defeated Daniel Dutra Silva by 7/5, 1/6, and 6/4 to win the first edition of the Procopio Cup. With this title, João Lucas Reis secured a spot in the Qualifying round of the Rio Open 2025.
