The first Peruvian in 29 years to reach the fourth round will meet Djokovic on Chatrier
© Julien Crosnier/FFTAfter emerging triumphant from three straight five-setters, ironman Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas has broken new ground.
The first from the South American nation to make it as deep in a Grand Slam in 29 years, here’s what to know about the late-blooming 27-year-old ahead of his fourth round showdown on Court Philippe-Chatrier with Novak Djokovic.
It took the Lima native nine years to break into the top 100 and make his Grand Slam main draw debut at Roland-Garros last year.
Not since Jaime Yzaga reached the last 16 in 1994 has a Peruvian ventured as deep in Paris.
“I think it's a great, great thing for my country. There's not so many pro tennis players. Being a professional tennis player is not an option maybe at home,” Varillas said.
“So I think to be an example for the kids that we can do this type of thing, we can play these type of events. If we work, if we keep disciplined, I think with consistency and believing in ourselves, doing it professionally I think for sure it's possible.”
©Philippe Montigny / FFTCoached by Argentine former world No.68 Diego Junquiera and based in Buenos Aires, Varillas made the decision to focus on the sport that would become his career as a teenager.
“My parents brought me to these summer camps,” he said. “You do every sport and there was tennis, and I loved it – tennis and football.
“So I stayed with these two sports until I was, like, 15, 16. Then I was better on tennis, so I keep working on tennis, and here I am.”
The Peruvian came through qualifying in Buenos Aires in February and took down former world No.3 Dominic Thiem and third seed Lorenzo Musetti back-to-back to reach his first ATP semi-final.
While he fell to Cameron Norrie it was just reward for years of perseverance, proof of what he was capable of following years spent plugging away primarily at the Challenger level.
Winning through qualifying for the first time in seven attempts, Varillas squandered a two-set lead against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round last year.
This year he also came up short in five sets in his Australian Open debut, this time against 13th seed Alexander Zverev.
Turning the tables in Paris, he beat Jerry Shang and 19th seed Roberto Bautista Agut from two sets down before his biggest win over 13th seed Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2.
All of Varillas’ five Grand Slam main draw matches have gone the distance.
He is the first player to make the fourth round at a major by claiming three successive five-setters since Ernests Gulbis at Wimbledon 2018.
In 2003, Luis Horna sprung a momentous upset in the opening round at Roland-Garros when he sent fifth seed and Grand Slam great Roger Federer packing at the first hurdle.
It ended up being the last time the Swiss lost in the first round of a major and Varillas was well aware of his countryman’s biggest victory.
“He is really close to me. He is also Davis Cup captain, and he has a business that manages athletes, and I'm one of them, so I'm really close to him, and I have a really good relationship,” Varillas said.
“Yeah, I know (about the Federer match). I know that it was in first round, right?”
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
