Gastón Gaudio had already experienced one of the biggest moments in tennis when he won the French Open in 2004, but his life after stepping away from the sport took a rather different turn. The Argentine former player recently shared a story about a trip to Las Vegas with five friends that was supposed to last just one week.
Instead, the group ended up staying in the Nevada city for almost two months. What began as a short getaway after years of professional tennis turned into an extended adventure, with Gaudio admitting that he eventually realised things were getting out of hand.
Speaking on the Argentine television programme Otro Día Perdido, the former world No. 5 looked back on the experience with humour, describing how the original plan quickly disappeared. His account included sleepless nights, a last-minute decision to leave and a few details about the trip that he preferred not to share.
“We went for seven days and stayed for 60”
Gaudio's story offered a glimpse into a side of his life that was far removed from the discipline of the ATP Tour. While he stopped short of explaining exactly what happened during those 60 days, his description of the trip made clear that the original seven-day itinerary had gone completely off course.
Asked whether he had let himself go after tennis, Gaudio gave a straightforward answer. “Yeah, I went a little off the rails.”
He then explained how the trip began, describing a getaway with five friends after years of playing professional tennis. The original plan was to spend a week in Las Vegas, but the group had other ideas once they arrived.
“After so many years of playing tennis, I went to Las Vegas with five friends. We were supposed to stay for seven days, but we didn't stay seven days. We stayed 60.”
The host compared the story to The Hangover, the comedy film about a Las Vegas trip that spirals out of control. Gaudio did not dispute the comparison, although he clarified that the group was not made up entirely of tennis players. “They weren't all tennis players. Just one of them was a tennis player.”
The host was clearly intrigued by the length of the stay, prompting Gaudio to return to the central point of the story: what had been planned as a short holiday had turned into something much longer. “We have some stories, because we didn't stay seven days. We stayed 60.”
Gaudio also explained why Las Vegas can make it difficult to keep track of time. In his recollection, the city's hotels and casinos created an environment where day and night seemed to blend into one.
“In Las Vegas, it's always nighttime. You never see daylight.”
He went on to claim that hotels put oxygen into their air conditioning systems to keep guests awake and gambling. The claim was presented as part of his anecdote, rather than established fact, but it illustrated the impression the city had left on him.
Eventually, Gaudio decided that the trip had gone far enough. Asked how they finally decided to leave, he explained that the turning point came when he realised the situation was getting out of hand.
“I thought, ‘This is getting out of hand.’ So, on day 58, I left.”
Two of his friends remained in Las Vegas for another two days. The host wanted to know how things ended for the group, but Gaudio was unwilling to explain exactly what had happened. “I'm not going to tell you what happened, but it ended badly.”
"Fui por 7 días a Las Vegas y me quedé 60": Gastón Gaudio contó que, tras su retiro, se "descarriló un poco". Además, recordó el viaje que hizo con cinco amigos a la ciudad del pecado y reveló que todo "terminó mal". #OtroDíaPerdido https://t.co/p9VWPorNfG
— OTRO DÍA PERDIDO (@otrodiaperdidok) October 16, 2026
From Roland Garros champion to life after tennis
The story was a long way from the defining achievement of Gaudio's playing career. In 2004, the Argentine won the French Open at Roland Garros, claiming his only Grand Slam singles title in one of the most memorable finals of the era.
Gaudio defeated fellow Argentine Guillermo Coria in five sets, recovering from two sets down to win 0–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1, 8–6. The victory made him a Grand Slam champion and remains the standout achievement of a career that also saw him reach a career-high ranking of world No. 5.
His success on clay required patience, resilience and the ability to handle pressure on the biggest stage. The Las Vegas story, by contrast, presented a much less structured chapter of his life, with the former player joking about a holiday that stretched to 60 days and a decision to leave two days before the rest of the group.
Gaudio retired from professional tennis in 2011. More than a decade later, the former French Open champion's account of his time away from the sport offered a reminder that life after competition can take unexpected turns — even for someone who once conquered Roland Garros.
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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