Roland-Garros focuses on discovering talent in South America

The Roland-Garros tournament committee has confirmed that another stage of the Renault junior series will take place in São Paulo.

According to Aymeric Labaste, head of international development at Roland-Garros, the goal of the series is to give promising players from underrepresented regions a chance to compete on the global tennis stage.

“Our sport deserves greater diversity,” he emphasized, noting that 75–80% of elite players traditionally come from Europe and North America.

The event in Brazil will take place from March 31 to April 6. The winners of the singles competitions (boys and girls under 17) will earn the right to compete at Roland-Garros Junior in Paris. Supporting the participants in São Paulo will be Argentine tennis legends Juan Martín del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini.

“Our goal is to support the next generation of South American players by creating new opportunities for them,” added Labast. Organizers hope to replicate the success of last year’s stage in Tokyo, where 18-year-old Brazilian João Fonseca emerged as a rising star.

This tournament aligns with a broader trend: leading tennis organizations are expanding their player base by attracting athletes from regions with limited infrastructure and restricted access to international competition. Such initiatives help break down barriers for talented players who may lack the financial or logistical means to reach the highest level.

At the same time, this initiative could also bring commercial benefits to the tournament. Expanding into new markets increases audience engagement, which in the long run could lead to higher revenues from broadcast rights and sponsorship deals.