Teen Tennis Star Makes History with First ATP Win

MUNICH, Germany (AP) — Seventeen-year-old Diego Dedura-Palomero made history Tuesday by becoming the first player born in 2008 to win a match on the ATP Tour. The German accomplished this feat at the BMW Open when his opponent, Denis Shapovalov, retired due to illness, leaving the match in Dedura-Palomero’s favor with a score of 7-6(2), 3-0.

Dedura-Palomero’s journey to this significant milestone came after a twist of fate. Initially eliminated during the qualifying rounds, he received a last-minute entry into the main draw as a lucky loser following Gael Monfils’ withdrawal from the tournament. “I just can’t put it in words right now. I’m just so happy,” he said, recalling the surreal turn of events that led to his match against the eighth-seeded Shapovalov.

The match, which took place on the clay courts of Munich, saw Dedura-Palomero’s skill on display as he took the first set to a tiebreak and ultimately triumphed over Shapovalov when the Canadian called for a medical timeout and decided to retire. In a moment of celebration, Dedura-Palomero drew a large cross on the clay and laid down on it, a gesture he described as a “gesture of gratitude.” He mentioned that he is “quite religious” and wanted to express thanks for his momentous win.

The historical significance of Dedura-Palomero’s achievement is underscored by the fact that only four players younger than him have ever won at the illustrious BMW Open, dating back to Boris Becker‘s success in 1984. Prior to his victory, the most recent young player to make headlines at the tournament was Romania’s Dinu Pescariu, who upset John McEnroe back in 1991.

In interviews post-match, Dedura-Palomero acknowledged the nervousness he felt while playing but ultimately shined through with his performance. “On the outside you are calm and everything, but it’s a storm inside,” he explained. “You try to hold your serve and focus on the game. I’m just super happy right now.”

His parents, Cesar Palomero and Rūta Deduraitė-Palomero, who coach him, played a significant role in his development, instilling in him the skills and mindset needed to succeed at such a high level. With an impressive background that includes a Chilean father and a Lithuanian mother, Dedura-Palomero was born in Berlin and has quickly risen through the ranks of junior tennis.

Following his landmark victory, Dedura-Palomero looks ahead to the second round, where he may potentially face Alexander Bublik, who plays Zizou Bergs later in the day. Another notable upset in Tuesday’s matches included German wild card Justin Engel, who was defeated by Fabian Marozsan, marking a challenging day for young German talents.

Beyond just a win, Dedura-Palomero’s success brings to light the rising talent in tennis, joining names like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as young players making their mark on the ATP Tour. As he navigates this new chapter of his career, his journey will certainly be one to watch.