ITAJAI/STARNBERG, January 14, 2026

Thiago Monteiro, one of the leading figures in Brazilian tennis in recent years and a former world No. 61, has confirmed his participation in the Itajaí Open, an ATP Challenger 75 tournament that opens the professional tennis season in Brazil from January 19 to 25 at the Itamirim Clube de Campo in Itajaí, Santa Catarina. Admission to the event will be free.

The left-hander will begin his 2026 season on Brazilian soil following a full period of preparation and physical recovery, opting to start the year on South American clay. The Itajaí Open offers total prize money of USD 107,000 and awards 75 ATP Ranking points to the champion, bringing together several of the country’s top players alongside strong international contenders.

“I needed some extra time to fully recover from lingering injuries I felt last year, particularly in my feet and ankle, which delayed the start of my pre-season at full capacity,” Monteiro said. The 30-year-old is completing his final preparations in Rio de Janeiro before heading to Santa Catarina.

Monteiro’s presence in the main draw further underlines the competitive strength of the Itajaí Open, which continues to establish itself as a key gateway to the South American Challenger swing. The tournament will feature seven of the eight highest-ranked Brazilian players, in addition to notable international athletes.

“I evaluated my options and decided to skip Australia and start the season directly on clay, staying on the same surface throughout the South American swing,” Monteiro added.

An experienced campaigner with regular appearances on the sport’s biggest stages, Monteiro has collected multiple Challenger titles and remains one of Brazil’s leading representatives on the global tennis scene, further raising the technical standard of the Itajaí Open.