Anna 
Argentine tennis player Camilo Ugo Carabelli is known for his ability to thrive in long, grueling matches. His recent performances highlight this, including his victory at the Rio Open on Tuesday, where he defeated World No. 37 Pedro Martinez 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This win marked the highest-ranked triumph of Ugo Carabelli’s career.
The 25-year-old, who recently claimed an ATP Challenger Tour title in Rosario, Argentina, has shown remarkable endurance. In his home country, he won five consecutive matches in deciding sets, coming back from a set down three times. He also upset former No. 8 Diego Schwartzman in the first round of the tournament.
Ugo Carabelli, reflecting on his win, joked, “I think I can only win in three sets. I don’t know what happened.” He credits his strong physical game for his success, stating, “I work a lot on my physical game, so I think you see it on the court. But for me, it’s better to win in faster matches.”
With a strong, muscular build and a competitive mindset, Ugo Carabelli excels in long rallies. His game relies on hitting powerful shots from the baseline, wearing down opponents with consistent pressure.
His endurance was also on display last month at the Australian Open. In a nearly four-hour, first-round match, he battled American Learner Tien in a five-set thriller. Although Ugo Carabelli lost, Tien went on to defeat Daniil Medvedev and reach the fourth round, further proving the Argentine’s ability to compete in demanding matches.
Despite his resilience, long matches have not always been kind to Ugo Carabelli. In 2022, during his first Grand Slam appearance at Roland Garros, he won a four-hour, 17-minute marathon against Aslan Karatsev. Later that night, Ugo Carabelli fainted in his hotel room due to dehydration and stress. “I don’t remember much,” he recalled. “I woke up on the floor with blood, and my coach gave me water.”
The incident prompted Ugo Carabelli to improve his physical preparation. A year later, he added his older brother Jeremias, a nutritionist, to his team. Ugo Carabelli now follows a strict diet, focusing on protein, rice, pasta, and fruit while avoiding chocolate except once a week.
Ugo Carabelli’s hard work has paid off. Last year, he led the ATP Challenger Tour with 49 match wins and won three titles. He now hopes to reach his first tour-level quarter-final in Brazil, where he faces Damir Dzumhur, the 2024 Challenger Tour title leader, in his next match.
In preparation, Ugo Carabelli will again rely on his brother’s nutritional advice, focusing on rice and chicken for energy.
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