TENERIFE/STARNBERG, January 15, 2026

Tenerife and the Canary Islands are set to once again become a beating heart of the ATP Challenger Tour, hosting two consecutive weeks of top-level tennis. From February 1 to 15, the hard courts of the Abama Tennis Academy will stage two ATP Challenger 75 tournaments, reaffirming the island’s status as one of the most attractive and distinctive stops on the calendar.

Behind the organization of an event that has grown increasingly popular with both local residents and the many tourists who choose Tenerife for their holidays is, once again, MEF Tennis Events. The promoter proudly renews its commitment to a truly unique location, consistently praised by players for its climate, scenery, organizational quality and world-class facilities. The entry list for Tenerife Challenger 1 underlines the tournament’s growing stature, featuring a high-caliber field filled with players poised to make their mark in the near future.

Among them, Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar stands out as one of the most exciting names. The 2006-born Madrid native, now ranked inside the Top 150, has quickly become a new fan favorite. After a breakthrough 2025 season that included Challenger titles in Hersonissos, Lincoln and Charlottesville, Jodar began 2026 in equally impressive fashion by reaching the final in Canberra before qualifying for the Australian Open main draw.

The top two seeds will be Italy’s Francesco Passaro (No. 140 ATP), who starts the season with Stefano Pescosolido as his new coach, and Francesco Maestrelli (No. 141 ATP), both looking to build consistency in a pivotal year. Italy will also be represented by Stefano Travaglia (No. 189) and Lorenzo Giustino (No. 210). Spain’s contingent includes Daniel Merida (No. 164) and Alejandro Moro Canas (No. 242), while the draw is further enriched by several promising youngsters such as Arthur Gea, Gilles-Arnaud Bailly, Joel Schwaerzler and 2007-born Benjamin Willwerth, a former junior World No. 4.

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Del 1 al 15 de febrero, el Tenerife Challenger 1 reunirá a los grandes talentos emergentes del circuito internacional en la Abama Tennis Academy.

️ https://t.co/B7XXsdjCDU#tennis #TenerifeChallenger pic.twitter.com/kuFxcWYHwa

— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) January 14, 2026

The strong link between tennis and tourism remains a defining feature of the Tenerife Challenger. Lope Afonso, Vice President and Councillor for Tourism of the Cabildo of Tenerife, highlighted the strategic importance of the event: “The organization of the Tenerife Challenger strengthens our clear commitment to sports tourism as a tool for diversification and value creation for the destination. Events of this level not only project Tenerife’s image internationally, but also help reduce seasonality and attract visitors who value quality, sport and the island’s privileged climate.”

Dimple Melwani, CEO of Turismo de Tenerife, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the island’s ideal conditions for hosting elite tennis year-round and the positive economic impact on hospitality, restaurants and local businesses. She also underlined the opportunity the tournament provides for young local players, who can chase their dreams through wild cards into qualifying and main-draw competition.

José Sepúlveda, President of the Canary Islands Tennis Federation, confirmed the local wild cards and expressed pride in welcoming another edition of the event. He stressed that the Tenerife Challenger goes beyond pure competition, representing an investment in the development of tennis in the Canaries and a unique chance for young prospects to gain experience in a professional environment. The wild cards for qualifying will go to Rodrigo Ledesma Sosa and Saúl Pacheco Benasayag in the first week, followed by Joel Toral Ocaña and Samuel García Hernández in the second.

Brendan Breen, Director of Abama Tennis and Golf, and Miguel del Prado Trallero, President of the Tenerife Island Tennis Federation, also underlined the importance of the event. Both praised the continued support of the Cabildo of Tenerife and MEF Tennis Events, highlighting how these two weeks of Challenger action place Tenerife firmly at the center of international tennis while inspiring the next generation of local players.