NOUMEA/STARNBERG, January 12, 2026
Frenchman Arthur Gea claimed his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning the 2026 BNC Tennis Open in Noumea, New Caledonia.
The 21-year-old former junior world No. 8 battled past No. 5 seed Jurij Rodionov of Austria 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in Saturday’s singles final. Gea capitalized on four of his 10 break-point chances to prevail after two hours and 35 minutes.
Breaking new ground in Noumea
Arthur Gea upsets Rodionov 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 to claim his first career title!#ATPChallenger | @FFTennis pic.twitter.com/uvO0oxmx55
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) January 10, 2026
Gea battled his way to the championship match with wins in the bottom half of the draw over seventh-seeded Argentine Alex Barrera, Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina, No. 2 seed Liam Drax from Canada and sixth-seeded US-American Michael Zheng.
Following nine triumphs on the ITF World Tennis Tour, the Carpentras native lifted his first trophy on the Challenger Circuit. Gea earned $17,000 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points, reaching a new career-high at world No. 197.
The 20th edition of the BNC Tennis Open was hosted by the Ligue Calédonienne de Tennis and offered a total prize pool of $107,000. Noumea is the capital of New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, located on the southwest coast of Grande Terre. Known for its blend of Melanesian culture and French influence, the city offers a relaxed island atmosphere alongside modern infrastructure.
Noumea is famous for its beaches, lagoons and coral reefs, as well as its vibrant food scene, which reflects its strong French heritage. It also serves as the economic, cultural and sporting hub of New Caledonia, regularly hosting international events, including the ATP Challenger Tour event.
