VILLA MARIA/STARNBERG, September 22, 2025
The AAT Challenger Santander Edicion Villa Maria wrapped up in style on Sunday, with US-American Emilio Nava lifting the trophy after a commanding 6-3, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Alex Barrena in the singles final. The tournament was the sixth ATP Challenger staged in Argentina this year and the fifth — and final — organized by the Asociacion Argentina de Tenis (AAT).
Backed by a powerful serve, the 23-year-old Los Angeles native produced high-quality tennis on the central court of the Sport Social Club before a lively crowd of around 700 fans, with TyC Sports broadcasting the action live. Nava, coached by Argentine Diego Cristín, struck seven aces and won 77 per cent of his first-serve points. He was broken just once, while converting four return games against Barrena to seal the match in one hour and 10 minutes.
Dream week complete
Top seed Emilio Nava overcomes Barrena 6-3, 6-3 to claim his fourth Challenger title of the season!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/BlbdN6RIlo
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 21, 2025
“I played a really solid match and a really solid week,” Nava said after the victory. “I can’t complain. My team and I did a great job.” He also praised the local support: “The crowd was always respectful but loud. I like that — it adds a bit more tension and makes things more fun when the crowd is at 100 per cent. I loved it.”
By winning his sixth ATP Challenger career crown, his fourth of the season, the World No. 100 pocketed $14,200 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
AAT president Agustin Calleri presented the champion’s trophy and underlined the federation’s mission: “Continuing to grow tennis in Argentina is what we want most. We’ll keep working so that these tournaments can be held here. We know the economic situation isn’t easy, so we want to give our players the chance to compete at home and not have to travel as much abroad.” Calleri also thanked the spectators: “Without you, tennis wouldn’t be what it is.”
Despite Sunday’s defeat, Barrena enjoyed a breakthrough week. The 22-year-old from Buenos Aires reached his first Challenger final without dropping a set, defeating fellow Argentines Gonzalo Villanueva, Juan Manuel La Serna, Mariano Kestelboim and Federico Gómez. The run propels him 377 spots up the ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 188, breaking into the Top 200 for the first time.
With the Villa Maria event, the Santander Circuit season came to an end. More than 50 Argentine players competed across its stops, with Barrena earning the most points (102) of any player. The series began in January at the Challenger 50 in Tigre, then moved through Córdoba, Tucumán and Santa Fe, all organized by the AAT. In February, Torneos staged the YPF Rosario Challenger, and starting this Sunday, the company is hosting the YPF Buenos Aires Challenger — closing out a record-breaking year for ATP Challenger tennis in Argentina.
