On the clay courts of Rio de Janeiro, the Rio Open brings together the press and hosts a tournament for journalists.

Members of the media coverage team put their skills with the green ball to the test.

“It’s easy in air conditioning, I want to see it on the court.” This is a classic phrase that is always heard by tennis analysts and commentators. And this Thursday (19), the victims of the maxim had to leave the coolness of cabins and rooms behind and prove their worth on the clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro, during the press tournament held in the middle of the Rio Open 2026.

More than 40 journalists, both Brazilian and foreign, had the opportunity to demonstrate their skill with a racket, rather than with microphones or computers, as is typical for them. The competition, held in pairs determined by a draw, was divided into three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The matches consisted of one set, following the same rules as the doubles at the Rio de Janeiro Open.

The tournament is named after Victorino Chermont, a journalist who died in the accident that claimed the lives of 71 people and involved part of the Chapecoense team, before the final of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana. Victorino was a tennis fan and a regular presence at press events on Brazilian clay courts before the tragedy.

“The emotion you all feel, and the memory of our son, is extremely important to us. Even though some years have passed, this place reminds us of the sport he loved and the friends he cherished. I know that wherever he is, he feels remembered and happy to see this initiative repeated every year. Thank you very much!” declared Victorino’s father, who also bears his name.

Tennis reporter Gustavo Loio, from Lance!, was one of the highlights of the tournament. With four titles already, the Rio native was aiming for his fifth and had Gustavo Werneck, from NitTênis, as his partner, but suffered a runner-up finish in the final against Pedro Fonseca and the Argentinian “Peque,” who was jokingly compared by other journalists to Diego Schwartzman due to his height and speed on the court.

“It’s always an honor to participate, to play this wonderful sport that is tennis, and also to interact with fellow professionals. My doubles partner, my namesake Gustavo Werneck, and I played four great matches, saved two match points in the quarterfinals, came back from 0-4 down in the semifinals, and lost 6-4 in the final. It was fantastic. Winning a trophy is always great, of course, but the best part is the atmosphere,” declared Loio.

Felipe Mussa, a reporter for “Ge,” was one of the champions in the Advanced level, alongside Deco Pires. After the match, he spoke with the Lance! team and celebrated the victory.

“It was a really cool tournament, it’s amazing to be playing with everyone. I’ve been playing in the press tournament since the first year, in 2014, and it’s great. I got lucky in the doubles, I got a partner who knew how to volley really well, which was Deco, and I played from the back. I just passed and let him shine in the front,” Mussa joked.

The tournament, however, doesn’t only include “journalism athletes.” Besides the integration during such a busy and tense week at the Jockey Club, journalists with little or no experience signed up and felt the pressure of the green ball for the first time, like Lucas Borges, a commentator for Lance!.

“I’ve followed tennis closely since I was very young, influenced by my family, but I never imagined having this opportunity. And to be honest, I thought it would be much easier than it actually is. I was sorely mistaken (laughs). But I’m happy. Not with the performance, but with the experience of running on the same clay court where renowned athletes train and play daily during this period. It’s sensational,” he declared.

Among the diverse experiences within the tournament, the morning of the sixth day of the Rio Open was marked by a positive and friendly atmosphere among the press. But between enthusiasts and those who disagree, appearances don’t seem to deceive us: in the air-conditioned environment, things are more comfortable.