Paraguayan tennis player Dani Vallejo (22) began his Roland Garros 2026 campaign successfully after defeating British player Cameron Norrie. For Vallejo, it was his debut in the main draw of the Paris Grand Slam. This result carries particular significance: it is Dani Vallejo’s first victory in a Grand Slam tournament, directly following his debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam event.
The match was competitive from the outset. The first set was decided in a tight tiebreak, which Vallejo closed out 7-6 (7), in a contest marked by long baseline exchanges and consistent parity throughout. In the second set, the Paraguayan positioned himself strongly in the development of the game. However, Norrie was forced to retire due to physical discomfort when the score was 2-0, securing Vallejo’s victory.
Just before Roland Garros, Vallejos was playing in Spain at the Challenger 175. Ultimately he was defeated by Serbian player Miomir Kecmanovic.
A milestone spanning almost three decades
The Grand Slam victory also ends a long wait for Paraguayan tennis in Paris. He is the first Paraguayan player to win a match in the men’s main draw at Roland Garros in 28 years. That previous achievement dates back to 29 May 1998, when Ramón Delgado defeated Armenian player Sargis Sargsian 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the third round of the tournament.
In addition, it marked the return of a Paraguayan male tennis player to the main draw of Roland Garros after 24 years, a significant milestone for national tennis. Furthermore, the last Paraguayan victory in a Grand Slam match overall also belonged to Delgado, who won at the 2003 US Open, establishing himself as the last male Paraguayan reference at this level until Vallejo’s emergence.
Vallejo’s next opponent in Paris
With this victory, Vallejo continues his campaign in the tournament and will advance to the second round. He will face French player Moïse Kouamé (17 years old) on 28 May, 2026. The French national is one of the breakout talents of the draw.
Kouamé arrives after causing an upset against Croatian player Marin Čilić, whom he defeated 7-6, 6-2, 6-1, establishing himself as one of the most closely followed young players in Paris.
