The path to the tennis Grand Slams starts long before a player steps onto the courts in Paris, London, or New York. For most young Argentine players, the first challenge is to earn points in the rankings of the men’s tennis governing body, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), without having to endure the high costs of competing abroad. It was in this context that the Argentine Tennis Association (AAT) launched the Galperin Merit Scholarship.
This program aims to speed up the transition from the national circuit to international professional tennis. The story of Lautaro Midón, the winner of the first edition of the scholarship, helps explain the initiative’s purpose. After finishing at the top of the 2025 annual scholarship rankings, the player received a US$60,000 prize.
That enabled him to compete more consistently on the international circuit and continue his development on the ATP Challenger Tour. His advancement in the rankings earned him a spot in Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Last week, he won his first ATP match at Bastad, Sweden, securing a place in the top 200 of the rankings.
Meanwhile, 2025 runner-up Juan Manuel La Serna received a prize of US$40,000. He’s since gotten strong results on the international circuit, jumping almost 200 spots in the ATP rankings. The Catamarca player is currently ranked 287th and won his first title in the category at the AAT Challenger in Córdoba in May.
Expansion for 2026 The Galperin Merit Scholarship started its 2026 run with a widened format and record investment. The spirit remains the same: to reward players under 22 years old who get the most ATP points in the year at international tournaments played in Argentina. The big news for 2026 is the addition of rewards, multiplying the players’ chances of much-needed economic aid at this crucial stage in their careers.
Six players will play the “Marcos Galperin Masters of Merit” tournament, named after the initiative’s founding businessman. The tournament will be played during the Semana del Tenis (Tennis Week), the AAT’s national tennis convention. The top two players — who will have already secured their respective prizes — will start in the semifinals, while players ranked third to fifth and a wild card chosen by the organizers will feature in the quarters.
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