Francisco Cerundolo captured the first ATP 500 title of his career on Sunday after winning the Queen’s Club Championships.
The Argentine defeated Tommy Paul in the longest Queen’s final in history, lasting three hours and two minutes, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Cerundolo‘s title is the second of his 2026 campaign, following his triumph at the Argentina Open earlier this season.
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But picking up a pair of tour-level crowns this year, the 27-year-old recently revealed he has been struggling with the emotional demands of professional tennis.
Francisco Cerundolo speaks candidly after winning Queen’s title
Speaking to ESPN, Cerundolo said: “I had a really tough time at Roland Garros. I wasn’t in a good place; I was at odds with tennis and with life.
“It’s something that is part of professional sports and happens to many players, but people don’t always understand it because they think we are machines.
“In our profession, you have a bad day, and everyone finds out. You’re exposed.
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“When I returned to Buenos Aires, I took a week off because I needed to step back a bit and regain the desire to compete.
“I had no expectations on grass. I lost every set in practice, although every day I felt like I was playing a bit better.
“In the end, I ended up competing spectacularly, flowing as if it were a natural surface for me.”
Francisco Cerundolo’s run at the Queen’s Club Championships
The run to the Queen’s title was anything but straightforward for Cerundolo, who got just one of his five matches done in straight sets.
That sole match was a 6-0, 6-4 in the second round versus Jenson Brooksby, which followed a three-set test against Aleksandar Kovacevic in round one.
After beating home hope Arthur Fery in the quarterfinals 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, Cerundolo had to come back from a set down in both his semifinal and final clashes.
He delivered the final four comeback against Brandon Nakashima before overcoming 2024 Queen’s champion Paul.
Cerundolo will now enter the Eastbourne Open ahead of his run at the Wimbledon championships.
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