COSTA DO SAUIPE/STARNBERG, October 14, 2025

Brazilian Gustavo Heide has received a main-draw wildcard for the inaugural Costa do Sauípe Open, an ATP Challenger 125 event set to kick off in one week at the Costa do Sauípe resort. The tournament, the second largest men’s tennis event in the country, offers $200,000 in prize money and 125 ATP Ranking points to the champion — a potentially crucial boost late in the season.

Heide has spent more than six months away from competition due to injury, seeing his ranking drop from World No. 160 in February to No. 323. While he could have entered the main draw using a protected ranking, the organizers, through Try Sports, chose to award him a wildcard, recognizing both his trajectory and past performances on home soil.

“Try Sports recognizes Gustavo Heide’s effort and progress over the past years, especially his excellent results last season,” said tournament director Danilo Marcelino. “We know injuries are part of every athlete’s journey, and we believe this is a great opportunity for him to get back into rhythm at home, at a tournament of this level, which he truly deserves to play.”

For Heide, the wildcard carries special meaning. “I remember seeing a Costa do Sauípe stand last year in Campinas and thinking how cool it would be to play such a big tournament in Brazil,” Heide said. “I want to thank Try Sports for this opportunity. This is an event with a lot of history — players like Guga and Nadal have competed here. I was very young at the time, but I know how important it is. I’m really happy to be part of it — it will be a great experience for me.”

The Costa do Sauípe Open begins on Saturday, October 19, with the qualifying rounds that will decide six main-draw spots. The field already includes Brazilians Thiago Monteiro, Luis Guto Miguel (first wildcard recipient), and now Heide. Four Top 100 players are also confirmed: Argentines Mariano Navone, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and Thiago Tirante, along with US-American Emilio Nava.