ITAJAI/STARNBERG, January 16, 2026
The Itajaí Open, an ATP Challenger 75 tournament scheduled for January 18–25, 2026, at the Itamirim Clube de Campo in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, will feature Joao Lucas Reis as one of its leading attractions. The event offers a total prize money purse of US$107,000 and awards 75 ATP Ranking points to the champion.
Currently ranked No. 206 in the world, Reis was the second-best Brazilian player on the professional circuit in 2025, trailing only João Fonseca. The 24-year-old from Pernambuco enjoyed a breakthrough season, climbing more than 200 positions in the ATP Rankings, capturing two titles — highlighted by his triumph at the Santa Fe Challenger 50 in Argentina — and delivering consistent performances throughout the year.
Reis arrives in Itajaí directly from Australia, where he competed in the Australian Open for the first time in his career. Although he exited in the opening round of qualifying, the Brazilian emphasized the importance of the experience as he now turns his focus to the South American clay-court swing, which begins on home soil.
“I have very positive expectations. I had a good preseason in Rio, went to Australia and, despite losing in the first round of qualifying, it was a great experience. It was my first time playing the Australian Open, and that always adds a lot. Now I’m motivated for this clay-court swing starting in Itajaí. It’s great to begin the season in Brazil, playing at home. It’s a long stretch that should run until March and a good opportunity to collect as many points as possible and aim for bigger tournaments later in the season,” said Reis, who is set to arrive in Itajaí on Saturday.
Joining Joao Lucas Reis in the main draw are several other prominent Brazilian players, including Thiago Monteiro, Thiago Wild, Felipe Meligeni, Matheus Pucinelli and Pedro Boscardin, who has already opened the 2026 season strongly by reaching the quarterfinals of a Challenger event in Argentina this week.
The qualifying competition, which will award six spots in the main draw, features Daniel Dutra da Silva, Pedro Sakamoto, Joao Schiessel, Igor Marcondes and Mateus Alves. Qualifying matches begin Sunday.
