VALE DO LOBO/STARNBERG, November 23, 2025
Alastair Gray left the Algarve with two trophies in hand and a perfect ten-match winning streak, completing a remarkable fortnight at the Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy. In a repeat of last week’s final, the 27-year-old Brit once again overcame Ukraine’s Georgii Kravchenko, sealing the Vale do Lobo Open 3 title with a 6-1, 7-5 victory after one hour and 41 minutes of high-quality tennis under the sunny Portuguese skies.
Just like in Saturday’s semifinal, Gray delivered near-flawless tennis during the early stages of the match. He broke early, dictated the tempo, and quickly built a commanding lead. His advantage in the second set grew to 3-1, but Kravchenko – known for his resilience – raised his level and fought back, creating a much more competitive battle.
Gray, however, stayed true to his trademark style: deft slices, sharp volleys, constant variation, and an ability to deny opponents any rhythm. Under pressure, Kravchenko’s weaker forehand faltered, allowing the top seed to regain control and close out the match. With the win, Gray lifted his sixth trophy of the year—his 12th career title—and completed the entire tournament without dropping a set. Last week, he had surrendered only one set, also in the semifinals.
The Brit ends 2025 exactly as he began it: with two consecutive titles. A return to the top 300 of the ATP Rankings (he peaked at No. 237 in 2022) now looks certain once the points from these two events are added.
“I’m very proud of the work I’ve done these past weeks. I handled all the variables well and I’m really happy,” Gray said after the final. “I didn’t necessarily expect to win both titles, but I believed it was possible—and that belief is part of why it happened.” He went on to call 2025 the “best year” of his career.
Unsurprisingly, Gray hinted that he will return to Portugal soon. The warm November days and the atmosphere at Vale do Lobo clearly won him over. “I really like it here. Of course winning helps, but the place is great. It’s November and there’s not a cloud in the sky – back home it’s snowing. The sun makes you feel alive, and winter in England is tough. I loved the club and I loved playing on these courts.”
The Vale do Lobo Open 3 concluded two consecutive weeks of professional tennis at the Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy. The ITF World Tennis Tour M25 event was organized by the Portuguese Tennis Federation and took place from 16 to 23 November.
