ITAJAI/STARNBERG, January 10, 2026
Felipe Meligeni Alves will begin his 2026 season at the Itajaí Open, an ATP Challenger 75 event held from 18 to 25 January on the clay courts of the Itamirim Clube de Campo in Santa Catarina.
The tournament officially opens the ATP Challenger Tour calendar in Brazil, offering a total prize money of USD 107,000 and 75 ATP ranking points to the champion.
For Meligeni, the event marks his long-awaited return to competition following back surgery in the first half of the 2025 season, which forced him to end his year prematurely. Since late last year, the São Paulo native has gradually resumed training and deliberately chose Itajaí for his comeback — the city where he now lives and the club where he trains on a daily basis.
“I’m really happy to start the year in Itajaí, my first tournament after the injury,” Meligeni said. “I’m already training at full intensity, and this week we started playing sets again to regain match rhythm and that competitive feeling.”
Aware of the challenges that come with returning after a long layoff, the 26-year-old remains cautious but optimistic about the weeks ahead.
“My goal is to compete, stay healthy and be happy to be back on court. I don’t want to put too many expectations on myself — just focus on returning and giving my best. I know the beginning will be tough, I’ll need time to adapt after being out for so long, but I really want to feel that pre-match adrenaline again.”
Meligeni’s preparation included a longer-than-usual pre-season, with a strong emphasis on physical conditioning.
“I’m very motivated, training really well and very focused on the physical side to arrive in the best possible shape. I’ve already completed nine weeks of training — a long but necessary pre-season. From last week to this one I’ve already improved a lot, and I’m sure I’ll feel even better in the week leading into the tournament.”
Beyond the sporting significance, competing in Itajaí will carry special emotional value for the Brazilian.
“Today, playing in Itajaí feels like playing at home. I moved here last March, everyone knows me, I get along really well with the team, and it will be special to play here for the first time as an ADK and Itamirim athlete, with the crowd behind me. It will be different — and very special.”
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Joao Victor Loureiro, currently ranked World No. 877, has become the first player to receive a wildcard into the qualifying draw, which begins on 18 January and will award six places in the main draw.
The main draw already features seven Brazilian players: Thiago Monteiro, Joao Lucas Reis, Thiago Wild, Gustavo Heide, Felipe Meligeni, Matheus Pucinelli and Pedro Boscardin, underlining the strong home presence at the inaugural edition of the Itajaí Open.
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