"I'm very South American!": Dani Vallejo brings Paraguay back to the major stage

PARIS—During 2025 Roland Garros, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo wasn’t ranked high enough to get into the qualifying rounds.

A year later, the rising 22-year-old has made the trip to Paris as a direct entry—his major main-draw debut.

Widely known as “Dani”, Vallejo is putting Paraguay back on the proverbial map. The Asunción native has won four of his five ATP Challenger Tour titles, all on clay, since last October. In April, he defeated Grigor Dimitrov and Learner Tien to reach the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open as a qualifier.

TENNIS.com caught up with Vallejo ahead of Tuesday’s opening match with No. 20 seed Cameron Norrie.

The moment’s finally here: your first main draw at a Grand Slam event. How are you feeling?

VALLEJO: I’m very excited. I have a first round that’s tough and it’s gonna be a battle. I’m well prepared. I had a good last week, where I made the final in the Valenica Challenger. So I’m with a lot of confidence, getting good sessions with practice. I’m ready.

You mentioned Valencia. With that performance, you broke the Top 70 for the first time. Anything you can point to that’s helped you continue pushing up the rankings?

VALLEJO: I’m competing really well, all the matches. That’s the most important, always, to compete every match. I think I’m doing my best in that. I’m really solid from the baseline right now. Winning a lot matches gives you confidence. I’m happy with that.

I’m very South American! I think that’s the best thing to know about me.

Tell us about your preparation going into the first round with not having to contest qualifying?

VALLEJO: I practice with Juan Manuel and then his brother Francisco. On Sunday, I play with Sinner. I’m so excited. I’m just enjoying all the days.

Have you trained with Jannik before?

VALLEJO: I worked him out in Madrid. And he won, so hopefully he gives me the good luck.

How special is it for you to bring Paraguay back to the main draw here, a tournament where your home fans have celebrated big moments before?

VALLEJO: Yes, Paraguay has a good history in Roland Garros. Victor Pecci made the final and semifinals. Ramon Delgado beat Pete Sampras. Hopefully I can do something similar within the years.

What should tennis enthusiasts know about you ahead of your debut in Paris?

VALLEJO: I’m very South American! I think that’s the best thing to know about me. Paraguay is what you think about with South Americans. Very linked to the family, the food, similar to Spain here in Europe.

I'm very simple with my team. My family’s going to be here, so I’m going to enjoy with them.