TULLN, September 25, 2026

Alexander Merino is currently ranked No. 220 in the ATP Doubles Rankings, with a career-high of No. 114. The left-hander is a member of the Peruvian Davis Cup team and currently the highest-ranked doubles player of his country. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Merino spent his early childhood there before moving with his family to Peru. He began playing tennis at the age of nine and has since built a career largely focused on doubles.

During the NÖ Open ATP Challenger Tour event in Tulln, Austria earlier this month, we met Merino for an interview.

Tennis TourTalk: You were born in Melbourne. How did that come about?

Alexander Merino: My parents, Gisela and Raul, lived there for about 10 years because of work. I was born in Melbourne and lived there until I was around seven. Then my father, who is an engineer and is now retired, received a job offer in Peru. So we moved back to Peru, to the south of the country, because my whole family was there.

Did you start playing tennis in Peru?

Yes, I started playing when I was nine. That’s a little bit late.

Do you have a coach at the moment?

Yes, I have someone who helps me in Peru. My coach is Sergio Monges, who was born in 1992 and used to be a professional player. He doesn’t travel with me in Europe; he works with me when I’m in South America.

I also have someone else who helps me as a mentor, Lan Bale. He’s South African and was ranked No. 27 in doubles. He helps me a lot.

What is your preferred surface?

Red clay. Sometimes I also like playing on hard courts, but there are very few fast courts in Peru, and there are no public grass courts.

Your preferred doubles partner is Christoph Negritu, isn’t it?

Yes. We have a long history together. We’ve played many tournaments and won five Challenger titles and four ITF Futures titles together in 2024 and 2025.

But he’s 32 years old and is currently recovering from an injury in Germany, where he lives.

You are playing the Davis Cup against Paraguay in Lima this week. How does it feel to represent your country?

It’s great. I’m playing alongside Ignacio Buse, Juan Pablo Varillas, Gonzalo Bueno and Arklón Huertas de Pino.

I’ve been part of the Peruvian Davis Cup team twice before. Once I played the final match, which was a dead rubber, and on another occasion I was nominated for the team but didn’t play.

Paraguay has Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, who is ranked No. 60 in the ATP singles rankings, among others, so it will be a tough tie.

You travel a lot around Europe playing doubles. Does doubles make traveling easier?

Yes, it’s easier to travel when you’re playing doubles. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain, there are more options for doubles players every week.

What’s the temperature in Lima right now?

It’s around 20 degrees, like springtime. It’s perfect conditions for playing the Davis Cup outdoors on clay in Lima.

What’s your favorite color?

Green.

What kind of music do you like?

Classical, electronic, rock, the ’80s, the ’90s… I like a lot of different kinds of music.

Have you ever played in a Grand Slam tournament?

Once. In June, we were ranked No. 110 and were just a few points away from qualifying for the US Open.

What’s your favorite food?

Ceviche with fish and seafood. It’s the number one dish all along the Peruvian coast.

And after the Davis Cup, are you going to stay in South America to play?

Yes. There are the South American Games, which are a team event involving the national teams, in Rosario, Argentina. Then there are several Challenger tournaments in South America.

Who covers your travel expenses?

The Peruvian federation helps me a lot because I’m a member of the Davis Cup team, so my travel expenses are covered. I’m also the No. 1 doubles player in my country, which is why I receive that support.

Our team captain is Luis Horna. I’ll be playing doubles with either Ignacio Buse, who just won the Winston-Salem tournament, Juan Pablo Varillas or Arklon Huertas de Pino. The captain will decide.

Have you had any injuries during your career?

I’ve had two injuries. One happened during a vacation, when I injured my leg in an accident on a wet court. The other happened three years ago and involved my shoulder.

That injury happened because I was testing heavier rackets, including Wilson rackets, and the extra weight put too much strain on my shoulder. I was out of competition for quite a long time.

Do you have any sponsors? Babolat for rackets, Adidas for clothing, Asics for shoes?

I have an agreement with Adidas, but not with Babolat or Asics.

I do have another sponsor now, though: a digital marketing company that I’ve started working with. It’s a huge financial help, and I’m very lucky and very happy about it.

Have you ever played mixed doubles?

No, not yet, but I’m going to play mixed doubles at the South American Games in Rosario, Argentina.

There are two Peruvian women who play very well: Luciana Perez, who is 21 and plays at the University of Texas, and Dana Guzman, who is 25 and plays at the University of Oklahoma. Both play college tennis in the United States.

You studied business administration, didn’t you?

Yes, I studied business administration at the University of Buenos Aires because I was living and training there at the time.

How many languages do you speak?

Spanish, English and Brazilian Portuguese.

What’s your favorite tournament?

The Valencia Challenger on clay. It takes place in May now.

I won it with Christoph Negritu in 2024. It’s a really nice tournament with a big crowd. We got into the tournament as alternates and ended up winning it in October 2024.

I usually play very well in Spain. I’ve had a lot of good results and reached several semifinals, including in Villena at the JC Ferrero Academy.

Who are your best friends on the tour?

Michael Zhu from the United States is a close friend. I’ve known him for a long time. Christoph Negritu, obviously.

Then there are other friends who have stopped playing and are now coaches. I get along well with a lot of players, for example Johan Nikles and Jakub Paul from Switzerland, and Juan Pablo Varillas. And, of course, with all the Peruvians. We spend a lot of time together.

Have you ever tried skiing?

No. The high mountains in Peru aren’t really for skiing; they’re more for hiking.

There’s a lot of surfing in Peru, and when I was a kid, I did a lot of surfing, basketball, track and field, karate and swimming. I’ve always loved sports. They are part of some of my best memories, especially during the summer heat.

Do you have a boat in Lima?

No.

A car?

No, not in Lima, because the traffic is horrible.

What is your secret dream?

To win the Australian Open doubles title!

Have you played in any ATP Masters 1000 tournaments?

I’ve practiced in Miami, but I didn’t play the tournament.

To get into a Masters 1000 tournament, you need a doubles ranking of around No. 60 or 70. Hopefully next year. I’m ambitious.

What are some of your best wins?

Christoph and I won five Challenger tournaments — Dobrich, Sibiu, Valencia, Tenerife and Barletta — as well as four ITF Futures tournaments between 2024 and 2025.

And I also had a really nice tournament with Michael Zhu in Hamburg.

What’s your favorite shot?

My forehand and my volley.

Do you have a girlfriend?

Not right now. I’m single.

Thank you very much, Alexander!

It was a pleasure!

Interview: Brigitte Urban