The photo in Crandon Park that inspired the path of ‘Fran’ closing it to the ATP Tour | ATP Tour

Francisco Cerundolo

The photo in Crandon Park that inspired the path of ‘Fran’ closing it to the tour

This Friday begins its 4th participation in the Masters 1000 in Florida

March 20, 2025

The story of Francisco chering him at the Miami Open presented by It Itaú, of the most important of his career at the ATP Tour, has been counting since the Argentine visited for the first time the headquarters of the tournament, when he was still disputed in Crandon Park.

‘Fran’, who did not exceed 15 years, posed for a photo on the central track without much awareness of what the tournament for the history of tennis meant, and without having the minimum hope of one day becoming a participant in the contest.

“That trip was the first time I visited the United States. We came with my uncles, cousins, my mother and my brothers. We went to Disney on vacation, and then my mother took us to Crandon Park. The tournament was not playing, but it was for us to know. We took out the photo. My parents played tennis and we knew it was a very nice place,” he recalls ‘Fran’ in an interview with Atptour.com.

“What we did not know was that in the future I was going to be participating in the tournament. I already played, but it was nothing very ‘wow’ to say. There were many people who did it much better than me at that time. That’s why I didn’t even think it was possible. Although I watched many games on TV, I didn’t have it in my plans.”

At that time it was already well served for having visited a place that would appear on TV. His mother Maria Luz is also recorded that day. “There was no one, and that allowed us to enter the court, walk it and imagine the best players in the world and the stands full of people. What we never imagined is that one day it would be ‘Fran’ one of those protagonists.”

Perhaps ‘Fran’ himself reaffirmed in the thought of not belonging to that world a short time later when he returned to Miami to dispute the Orange Bowl. While his brother stayed with the title in the category for children under 12, ‘Fran’ fell into the previous phase of the category for children under 16.

“The one who traveled with possibilities was Juan Manuel. And ‘Fran’ was going to have an experience. He was more normal,” says Alejandro closing him, father, trainer of both, and former professional player in the eighties. “And in that same tournament, [Frances] Tiafoe, which is from the same generation of ‘Fran’ won the tournament in 18 years. Imagine the change that ‘Fran’ would have in the next seven years. His ascent would be terrible from there. ”

To the extent that Francisco grew, more increased his conviction. He went to play university tennis for a while, gave again an opportunity as a professional. And in that save, the photo in Crandon Park became an inspiration. A reminder that you could.

“Over the years there I began to believe and when I saw that photo, he said: ‘oh, hopefully one day I can play there,” adds the three -time tour champion. The dream was fulfilled. Although the headquarters was already different, in 2022 it became a participant in Miami 1000 Masters. And, in addition, in that same edition he reached the semifinals beating Tiafoe, that player who almost a decade ago in Orange Bowl had made him think, with his reflection, how far it was to be professional.

“His is a work story, and what has happened to him deserves it for everything he has lived. He has fulfilled many dreams and that seems surprising to me,” adds Alejandro.

Miami not only turned the place where he fulfilled one of his biggest dreams. He also became his refuge to create new desires.

“Here I have been on vacation, in the Orange that Juanma won and many times training when I have left weeks between Cincinnati and Us Open. I already have many Latin friends and, above all, Argentines. In addition, this is my fourth year playing this tournament. Everything makes a nice combo,” explains Francisco, currently No. 24 of the PIF ATP Rankings.

His new illusion in Miami will begin this Friday facing the French Alexandre Muller, who leads 2-0 the Lexus ATP Headtohead between them. “I wish I can make a great tournament. The painting is hard, but if I can play a good tennis I will have chances.”

If it is in Miami, their chances will always be high.