The Rio Open presented by Claro has announced the final wild cards for the singles draws of the tournament, which takes place from February 14 to 22 at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. Thiago Wild received the third wild card into the main draw, while Thiago Monteiro and Gustavo Heide complete the qualifying line-up.
Wild, a familiar face on the courts of the Jockey and currently Brazil’s No. 2, is guaranteed a spot in the main draw and joins compatriots João Fonseca and João Lucas Reis in the quest for a home title. The 25-year-old from Paraná will play the Rio Open for the seventh time, with his best result being a quarterfinal appearance in 2024. One of the most memorable moments in tournament history also bears his signature: the victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in 2020, in the longest match ever played at the event.
“I’m very happy to be able to play the Rio Open again, my favorite tournament — it’s a unique feeling. After what I went through last year, a very complicated season, I’d like to thank Luiz Carvalho, Thomaz Costa, Ricardo Acioly, and the entire Rio Open team, who have always believed in me and supported me. It will be a special week for me, and I’ll give my best for the tournament,” said Thiago Wild.
In qualifying, Brazil will have two more representatives in search of one of the four remaining spots in the main draw. In addition to Guto Miguel, the first wild card of the qualifying stage, Thiago Monteiro and Gustavo Heide have also received invitations for the qualifying, which will be played on February 14 and 15.
Monteiro is the Brazilian with the most singles matches and wins in Rio Open history. At 31, the left-hander will play the tournament for the 11th time, the very event where he began a remarkable journey on the Tour. In 2016, he earned one of the biggest wins of his career by defeating France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, then world No. 9. In 2024, he returned to the quarterfinals, repeating his 2017 run, when he beat Dominic Thiem.
“I’m very happy with the opportunity to play another Rio Open. It’s a special tournament for me, especially now after a period recovering from injuries. Playing at home, close to family and friends, in an event that marked my career and was a turning point for me, is always special. I’ll focus match by match and try to get a good result. Coming through qualifying gives you more confidence to start the main draw well,” said Monteiro.
Heide, meanwhile, will make his fourth appearance at the Rio Open. At 23, the São Paulo native is currently ranked No. 253 in the ATP rankings and played the Australian Open qualifying in January. Finishing 2025 on a high note, he won the Florianópolis Challenger title after recovering from a back injury.
“It’s always very special to play the Rio Open — it’s an incredible tournament, and playing in Brazil, in the city where I live, makes it even better. Being able to play at home makes a big difference, especially since I’ve been feeling very good on court. I’m definitely very motivated and hope it will be a great week for me, with good results and a high level of tennis. That way, I’m sure I can keep advancing in the tournament,” said Heide.
“The definition of wild cards always takes a combination of factors into account, and the ranking ends up being an important benchmark in this process. We look for players who are in a competitive moment, with experience on the Tour and real chances to fight for good results in the tournament. It’s never an easy decision, because there are many deserving athletes, but we need to make technical choices thinking about the level of the competition and the benefits for the players,” explained Rio Open Director Luiz Carvalho.
Free ticket redemption for the qualifying begins on February 10 at 11 a.m. via the website eventim.com.br/rioopenqualifying. Tickets are free, limited, and subject to availability, with a limit of two per CPF, per day.
