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.
