Rio Open 2026 makes list of stars official and reveals new art inspired by the Rio sky

The organization of Rio Open presented, this Wednesday (21), the official details for the 2026 edition of the biggest tennis tournament in América of Sul. The event, held in a shopping center at Zona Sul of Rio of Janeiro, served as the stage for announcing the list of players and the visual identity of the competition. Entre those confirmed include big names from the international circuit and the young Brazilian promise João Fonseca. The tournament is scheduled to take place between the 14th and 22nd of February, maintaining its tradition on the clay courts of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.

This year’s competition promises to raise the technical level with the presence of tennis players who occupy privileged positions in the ATP rankings. Lorenzo Musetti, current number 5 in the world, tops the list of entries alongside Matteo Berrettini and the charismatic Frenchman Gael Monfils, who received a special invitation from the organization. Além of them, the current two-time champion Sebastian Báez returns to Rio of Janeiro to attempt an unprecedented feat in the history of the Rio ATP 500.

Check out the main highlights confirmed for the main draw below:

• Lorenzo Musetti (Italy)
• Francisco Cerúndolo (Argentina)
• Luciano Darderi (Italy)
• João Fonseca (Brazil)
• Sebastian Báez (Argentina)
• Matteo Berrettini (Italy)
• Gael Monfils (France)

✨ RIO OPEN 2026 LINE-UP RELEASED ✨

The ATP has released the list of tennis players who will compete in the 12th edition of the biggest tennis tournament in América of Sul, headed by world number 5 Lorenzo Musetti and, of course, our João Fonseca! 💪pic.twitter.com/Z54AcrzxJH

— Rio Open (@RioOpenOficial)January 21, 2026

Official art celebrates the connection between clay and space

The visual artist Marcos Chaves was responsible for creating the visual identity that will appear on the event’s posters and communications in 2026. The visual composition seeks to integrate the sporting environment with the urban and natural landscape of the capital of Rio de Janeiro, reinforcing the cultural link of the tournament.

One of the central elements of the art is the arrangement of tennis balls, which were strategically positioned to form the constellation of Cruzeiro and Sul. Segundo the author, this choice symbolizes the geographic orientation and protagonism of the southern hemisphere on the world tennis scene through Rio Open. The piece was praised by the tournament board as a faithful representation of the creative energy that surrounds sport in the city.

João Fonseca leads local hopes in Jockey Club

The young João Fonseca, currently 19 years old, appears as the main name of Brasil for this edition’s singles draw. The tennis player, who already occupies 32nd position in the world rankings, arrives at Rio with the mission of overcoming the back pain that hampered his performance at the beginning of the season. Lui Carvalho, tournament director, stated that the presence of Fonseca is fundamental to the success of the event due to the direct connection with the Brazilian public.

The local fans hope that the athlete will be able to repeat his good performance from previous tournaments and advance to the decisive rounds at home. Fonseca has been working intensely on his physical recovery to ensure he will be in top shape before his debut on the Rio courts in February. The expectation is that the Brazilian will be one of the top seeds, theoretically facilitating the path in the early stages of the competition.

Italian favoritism and the farewell of a veteran

Lorenzo Musetti arrives at Rio from Janeiro as the main favorite for the title, driven by his excellent phase on the professional circuit. The Italian, who was unable to compete in the last edition due to an injury, is looking for his first victory on Brazilian soil to consolidate himself at the top of the ranking. Sua skill on clay is seen as a competitive advantage that should attract great attention from clay enthusiasts throughout the week.

• Musetti currently occupies the position of number 5 in the ATP.
• Gael Monfils makes his farewell tour at the age of 39.
• Matteo Berrettini seeks to regain space after periods of injury.
• The tournament distributes important points for the season ranking.

Frenchman Gael Monfils is another big attraction, confirming that 2026 will be his last year as a professional tennis player on the ATP circuit. Monfils, known for his acrobatic style of play and on-court entertainment, chose Rio Open as one of his final stops. The organization’s invitation allows the Rio public to say goodbye to one of the most charismatic athletes of the last two decades in sport.

Event structure and ticket sales to the public

The main draw matches will officially start on February 16th, while the weekend before that will be dedicated to qualifying. Jockey Club Brasileiro is being prepared to receive more than 65 thousand people over nine days of intense activities on the courts. Além of the sporting spectacle, the structure will have leisure areas, gastronomy and exclusive shops for visitors who come to the Lagoa complex.

Tickets for the day and night sessions are now available for sale through the official channels indicated by the Rio Open organization. Prices vary according to the chosen sector, with options starting from R$60 for initial sessions to higher prices for weekends. Demand has been high, especially for dates that feature confirmed participation by João Fonseca and international stars.

Recent history and Argentine hegemony in the Rio of Janeiro

In recent editions, Rio Open has witnessed significant dominance by Argentine athletes, with Sebastian Báez becoming the first two-time champion in history. In 2025, Báez defeated the Frenchman Alexandre Muller in the singles final, consolidating his rapid adaptation to Rio’s weather and clay conditions. The challenge for the other competitors in 2026 will be to interrupt this sequence of victories of the neighboring country’s representatives in the tournament.

Despite Argentine hegemony in singles, Brasil celebrated a historic title in doubles last season with Marcelo Melo and Rafael Matos. Foi the first time that an all-Brazilian partnership lifted the ATP 500 trophy, generating great enthusiasm among local fans. Esse positive result serves as motivation for the home tennis players who seek new triumphs in front of their passionate fans.

Economic impact and global visibility of the Rio tournament

Rio Open is not just limited to the sporting aspect, being a relevant economic engine for the state of Rio of Janeiro annually. Estimativas point out that the event generates around R$170 million in the local economy, generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs during its duration. The live broadcast to more than 140 countries puts the capital of Rio de Janeiro in the spotlight on the global sporting calendar, attracting tourists and investments.

The organization reinforces that the tournament is the only one in the ATP 500 category in the América of the Sul, which guarantees the arrival of world elite athletes. Maintaining an event of this size requires rigorous planning and solid partnerships with sponsors and public bodies. Para 2026, the goal is to surpass audience and audience records, further consolidating Rio of Janeiro as an indispensable destination for international tennis.