MUNICH — Diego Dedura-Palomero made his mark on tennis in more than one way Tuesday. The 17-year-old German became the first player born in 2008 to win a match on the ATP Tour, and he marked the feat with a unique celebration. After his opponent Denis Shapovalov retired when trailing 7-6 (2), 3-0 in their first-round match at the BMW Open in Munich, Dedura-Palomero used his feet to scrape out a cross on the Munich clay before lying down on top of it.
Dedura-Palomero expressed his joy and gratitude, stating, "I can’t believe it and can’t put it into words. I’m so happy. I told myself – Just have fun, enjoy the atmosphere. This is crazy. I want to thank my mum, who’s watching at home, and my brother." His celebration was described as a gesture of gratitude, reflecting his religious beliefs, as he noted, "I’m quite religious."
The young star's victory is historic, as only four players younger than Dedura-Palomero — including a 16-year-old Boris Becker in 1984 — have ever won at the storied Munich tournament. The ATP confirmed this remarkable achievement, highlighting the significance of his win.
Dedura-Palomero wasn't even meant to be playing Tuesday. The teenager from Berlin had initially lost in qualifying to Alexander Bublik but got a place in the main draw when French veteran Gael Monfils withdrew. This stroke of luck turned into a monumental moment for the young player, who is currently ranked 549th in the world.
Following his victory over the eighth-seeded Shapovalov, Dedura-Palomero is set to face Zizou Bergs in the second round, continuing his remarkable run at the BMW Open. Meanwhile, the tournament has seen its share of drama, with other players struggling to find their form. Jan-Lennard Struff, the 2024 winner, faced a tough defeat, losing 6-0, 6-2 to Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo earlier in the day. Struff lamented his performance, saying, "The confidence isn’t there, zero. As soon as I get out on the court I feel like the power has been cut."
On the other hand, Alexander Zverev, the top seed, is also making headlines as he progresses in the tournament. Zverev prevailed 6-3, 6-2 in an all-German battle against Daniel Altmaier on April 16, 2025, and will face either Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor or German wildcard Yannick Hanfmann in the quarter-finals on April 18.
In a separate but equally controversial incident, British player Harriet Dart found herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons during her match at the Rouen Open on April 15. Dart, who lost 6-0, 6-3 to Lois Boisson, was caught on camera asking the umpire to tell her opponent to use deodorant, saying, "Can you ask her to put on deodorant? She smells really bad." This comment sparked immediate backlash on social media, prompting Dart to issue an apology on Instagram, stating, "It was a comment made in the heat of the moment and I truly regret it. It’s not the way I want to behave and I take full responsibility. I have a lot of respect for Lois and the way she competed today. I’ll learn from this and move on."
As the BMW Open continues, all eyes will be on Dedura-Palomero as he seeks to further his historic journey in the tournament. His unique celebration and heartfelt remarks have already made him a fan favorite, and many are eager to see how far this young talent can go.
In conclusion, Dedura-Palomero's achievement not only marks a significant milestone in his career but also adds a new chapter to the history of the ATP Tour. With his determination and skill, he is certainly a player to watch in the future.
