"Worst court at ATP level I've played”: Home hero Cristian Garin joins criticism for Chile Open with brutal conditions berated by players
ATPFriday, 01 March 2024 at 22:30
Cristian
Garin joins Roberto Carballes Baena in expressing discontent with the courts at
the ATP 250 Chile Open. The local tennis player was eliminated in the first
round against compatriot Tomas Barrios by 6-7(3), 5-7.
The
Chilean, who won the tournament in 2021, voiced his frustration about the poor
clay court conditions in Santiago. These criticisms have gained global
attention as several competitors, including Carballes Baena and the 2022
champion Pedro Martínez, experienced falls.
The former
world No. 17 acknowledged that the court conditions, particularly on the Centre
Court where he played the first round, fall below expectations for an ATP-level
tournament. In a post-match interview, he stated, "I don't like to
criticize the tournament because it is here, but it is the worst court at the
ATP level I have played on."
These
comments follow the critiques from the 7th seed Carballes Baena, who was
eliminated in the first round against Corentin Moutet:
"What
do you want me to tell you, that the tournament is sh*t? That on the court you
can’t play? I think it’s a shame that an ATP is played on this court, I think
it’s dangerous for the players. Hopefully this tournament will never be held
again," the Spaniard athlete said.
"This
is not tennis, in the end this becomes the tombola. With fear all the time to
get injured and with terrible bounces… and sometimes the ball doesn’t even
bounce! I did feel that I could get injured. Every time I was forced I was
afraid to tighten my leg because it was sinking all the time. In fact I ended
up with discomfort in my back," Carballes added.
Nicolas Jarry shares his thoughts on the court.
The 2023
Chile Open champion and the top seed in the tournament defended the court after
his second-round match against Federico Coria, securing a victory by 7-6(4),
6-2. "It is the court that has been prepared with the most dedication, I
believe, in the history of Chile," affirmed the world No. 24 during the
press conference.
Jarry comes
from a family of prominent former Chilean tennis players, including his
grandfather Jaime Fillol and great-uncle Alvaro Fillol, both in the 1980s.
Notably, the Fillol family has been organizing the tournament for over 30
years, led by Jarry's aunt, Catalina Fillol.
He mentioned,
"I know they are making a huge effort; yesterday, those in charge stayed
until 4 in the morning trying to improve it, so I hope it continues to get
better every day."
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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