Cerundolo’s father overcomes his fear of flying to watch his son win at Queen’s

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Cerundolo’s father overcomes his fear of flying to watch his son win at Queen’s

Francisco Cerundolo had to wrestle the longest Queen’s final in history to claim the biggest title of his life, but he couldn’t have timed it better.

His parents arrived from Argentina in time to see their son win – despite his father’s fear of flying.

Cerundolo had never won a title above the ATP 250 level before and it looked like his wait would continue when he went a set and a break against American Tommy Paul.

But after three hours and two minutes of thrilling action on the court, the victorious Cerundolo threw himself down in delight with a 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-3 victory.

“They took a flight yesterday evening. I knew they would arrive in London around 14:30 [BST],” he said.

“I knew that if the game is short, they won’t make it to the tournament, but if the game is long, maybe they can make it.

But Cerundolo did not know for sure if his father would come to London.

“My father is afraid of airplanes, since I was born I have never gone with him and he has never come to watch me in competitions,” he said.

“Last year he started taking medication and trying to deal with his fear.

“Last week he was saying ‘I’m going to grass season’. He’s always loved London and grass, he never came.

“Me, my brother and my sister were saying ‘OK dad, we can’t believe it until you get on the plane.’

Cerundolo didn’t see his parents arrive during the game, but he celebrated the win with them and the three took pictures with the trophy afterwards.

Cerundolo and his parents took pictures with the Queen’s trophy [Getty Images]

A fan favorite at the Queen’s Club this week, Argentina’s Cerundolo wowed the London crowd with his ferocious winners and never-give-up mentality.

The 27-year-old has been wearing a Diego Maradona shirt on the bench in his players’ box all week for inspiration.

Four of his five matches have gone to a decider as he has spent 11 hours and 33 minutes on court over the past six days.

Cerundolo left Queen’s with a second grass court title under his belt, having previously beaten Paul in the final at Eastbourne in 2023.

Paul, who is champion at Queen’s in 2024, missed the chance to defend his title last year with an abdominal injury and looked downcast as Cerundolo celebrated victory at the Andy Murray Arena.

“I want to congratulate Francisco and your team. We always seem to have unreal games and today you were the better player so I’m happy for you. Congratulations,” said Paul.

‘Greatest moment of my tennis career’

After winning his first grass court title in Eastbourne three years ago, Cerundolo – who grew up playing on clay courts – did not win a single match on the surface in 2024 and 2025.

“We don’t have many grass courts here at home,” said Cerundolo.

“When I started playing [on grass was in the Wimbledon qualifiers in 2021].

“After that I won two titles on the court, so it’s amazing.”

His decision to fly to the UK to train on grass ahead of this year’s tournament has paid off.

Cerundolo stood out first in the first half but failed to work as the pressure was always on Paul.

In a tight second game, the players fought back and saved multiple break points apiece before Paul’s level wavered and Cerundolo hit a forehand at 5-4 to force a decider.

Cerundolo came out on top in the third set, but his nerves threatened to explode when he blew a 40-0 lead in the first leg and Paul recorded two points.

The South American let out a loud cry of “vamos” as he held on, although he was left fuming after missing four tournament points.

But at the fifth time of asking, Cerundolo won his 27th of the day to finally win.

“This is the biggest moment of my tennis career so far,” he told BBC TV.

“Coming from Argentina, I won my first ATP 500 tournament at Queen’s – a historic event.

“I never thought I would lift this trophy in my whole life and now I am the winner, so I am very happy and proud of myself.”

Cerundolo is the first Argentine to win the Queen’s title, although David Nalbandian came close in 2012, when he faced Marin Cilic when he failed to kick a billboard and injure a judge.

Cerundolo will be one of 32 players when Wimbledon starts on Monday, June 29.

And Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith believes Cerundolo’s “unique front” gives him a “huge chance” of winning anywhere in sight.

“His game is very big. The backhand was strong – it’s a flat shot so it goes through the court – but his difference is his forehand,” Smith told BBC TV.

“It’s a big weapon and when the conditions are the way they are – fast, with the ball in the air – you’ve got a big chance.”

Later on Sunday, Britain’s Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara lost 6-4 6-3 to El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo and Croatia’s Mate Pavic in the men’s doubles final.