Is the Golden Swing coming to an end? Argentina Open could switch to hard courts in 2028

Friday, 23 October 2026 at 08:30

Fonseca won his first ATP title at Argentina Open

The South American clay-court swing could be heading towards its biggest transformation in decades, with the Argentina Open increasingly likely to move away from clay and onto hard courts from 2028. The ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires has been played on clay in every edition since its return to the calendar in 2001, but that long-standing tradition could soon come to an end.

The change has not been officially confirmed, but reports from Argentina suggest the possibility is gaining momentum following the transfer of the tournament's licence to the ATP.

The Argentina Open is one of the main pillars of the Golden Swing, the series of South American tournaments traditionally played on clay during February. If it switches to hard courts, questions will grow over the future of a regional swing that has already lost several events and could face further changes as the ATP reshapes its calendar.

Chile Open and Rio Open could also move away from clay

According to Argentine journalist Sebastián Torok, a surface change could be announced as part of the plans for the 2028 calendar. An upgrade from ATP 250 to ATP 500 status has also been discussed, although that remains a separate and unconfirmed possibility.

"After 27 editions on red clay (from 2001 to 2027), the #BuenosAires ATP tournament will move away from its classic red clay surface. It is, without a doubt, the end of an era," Torok wrote on social media. " Naturally, this will not be the only tournament in the region to undergo such changes."

"It’s official now. The formal announcement is imminent (expected at the ATP Finals in Turin, or perhaps even sooner). Starting in 2028, the ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires (@iebmasargopen) will move from clay courts to a hard-court surface. There are no plans—at least for the time being—for an upgrade to the 500-level category."

Ahora sí. Es inminente el anuncio oficial (sería en el ATP Finals de Turín o, incluso, antes). El ATP 250 de #BuenosAires (@iebmasargopen) dejará el polvo de ladrillo y cambiará a superficie dura desde 2028. No está contemplado, al menos por ahora, un upgrade a categoría 500.
— Sebastián Torok (@sebatorok) October 22, 2026

Buenos Aires is not the only tournament considering a different direction. The Chile Open has acknowledged that changes are expected for 2028, including the possibility of switching surfaces or adjusting its place on the calendar.

Tournament director Catalina Fillol addressed the situation in an interview with ADN Radio in September 2026, confirming that organisers are preparing for changes while stressing their intention to remain part of the South American swing.

“Indeed, there will be changes by 2028," Fillol said, referring to the plans for the tournament. There is a possibility of a change in surface, just as there is a possibility of some adjustments to the schedule. We must be prepared for what lies ahead. We will do everything necessary to ensure the tournament remains in Chile.”

The Rio Open, currently an ATP 500 played on clay, has also been linked with a potential switch to hard courts. If all three tournaments were to move away from clay, the identity of the South American swing would change considerably. However, none of these possible surface changes should be treated as confirmed at this stage.

The discussion comes as the ATP prepares for a broader calendar reshuffle, with a new Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia expected to affect the structure of the season from 2028. South American tournaments may need to adapt to a calendar increasingly shaped by commercial priorities and the demands placed on players.

February's schedule illustrates the challenge. After the Australian Open, players can either remain on hard courts or travel to South America and transition to clay before the hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami in March. That surface switch can make the Golden Swing a less attractive option for some of the world's leading players.

Ahora sí. Es inminente el anuncio oficial (sería en el ATP Finals de Turín o, incluso, antes). El ATP 250 de #BuenosAires (@iebmasargopen) dejará el polvo de ladrillo y cambiará a superficie dura desde 2028. No está contemplado, al menos por ahora, un upgrade a categoría 500.
— Sebastián Torok (@sebatorok) October 22, 2026

February 2026 ATP Calendar: Week by Week

Week	City	Category	Surface
Week 5	Montpellier, France	ATP 250	Indoor hardcourt
Week 5	Multi-City	Davis Cup	-
Week 6	Dallas, US	ATP 500	Indoor hardcourt
Week 6	Rotterdam, Netherlands	ATP 500	Indoor hardcourt
Week 6	Buenos Aires, Argentina	ATP 250	Clay
Week 7	Doha, Qatar	ATP 500	Outdoor hardcourt
Week 7	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	ATP 500	Clay
Week 7	Delray Beach,US	ATP 250	Outdoor hardcourt
Week 8	Acapulco, Mexico	ATP 500	Outdoor hardcourt
Week 8	Dubai, United Arab	ATP 500	Outdoor hardcourt
Week 8	Santiago, Chile	ATP 250	Clay

The schedule highlights the contrast: while Buenos Aires, Rio and Santiago offer clay-court tennis, several ATP events across North America, Europe and the Middle East provide players with a chance to stay on hard courts ahead of the Sunshine Double. Acapulco is another example of how the calendar has evolved, having switched from clay to hard courts in 2014.

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The Golden Swing has already changed substantially over the years. Earlier versions included tournaments in Viña del Mar and Costa do Sauípe, while other events have moved cities or disappeared from the calendar. In recent seasons, Buenos Aires and Santiago have remained ATP 250 tournaments, with Rio the region's sole ATP 500 event.

A switch to hard courts in Buenos Aires would therefore be more than a change of playing surface. It could mark a turning point for the entire South American swing, particularly if Chile and Rio eventually follow the same path. For now, the future remains uncertain, but 2028 is shaping up as a potentially decisive year for the region's place on the ATP Tour.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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