“There are gestures that are worth more than titles…”
Struggling ATP journeyman Federico Agustin Gomez of Argentina is suffering through a brutal career slump and a rockbottom point of his personal life.
The 28 year old recently revealed on social media that the difficulties of his struggling ATP career caused him to consider taking his own life.
Currently ranked 138 in the world, the former college player at Louisville University, took time off and taught tennis in Florida before mounting a comeback a couple of years ago. He won a Challenger in Milan, last year and has earned $265, 613 since he earned his first ATP points at age 17.
The pressure to keep climbing the rankings and to defend points this year have taken a toll on Gomez, who is 2-7 in 2025, including losing seven straight matches since winning his first two quali round contests in Brisbane vs. Blanchet and Lajovic. In the main draw 1R in Brisbane, Gomez was up a break on Reilly Opelka but eventually lost 57 46. He then lost six more matches to Joao Fonseca in AO, Murphy Cassone in Cleveland, Ryan Seggerman in Dallas, Dimitri Popko in Delray Beach 67 in the third set, Learner Tien in Acapulco, and most recently, Rudy Quan in Indian Wells qualies.
Novak Djokovic found about about the plight of Gomez and sent him a message. Djokovic invited Gomez to train with him this week at the Miami Open site (before Musetti match) and the two combatants trained together on a practice court.
Gomez played Miami Open qualies and lost another close duel 57 57 to James Duckworth, aged 33 and ranked 95.
Djokovic mentioned Gomez at a press conference this week.
“We trained together today—he helped me warm up before the match. But we didn’t really have time to talk. I believe we’re training again tomorrow, so I hope we’ll have a bit more time to reflect on it. Honestly, I can relate to a lot of what he wrote. We all have dark moments. Psychologically and emotionally, we go through a lot. I have a lot of empathy for him. I told him I’m here to help if he wants to share anything with me.”
The story isn’t over and Gomez will continue to compete – he is scheduled to play the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open April 6-13 – and now with a very powerful force behind him.
Argentina · Federico Agustin Gomez · Miami Open · Novak Djokovic
11 comments
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Scoop Malinowski · March 28, 2025 at 9:21 am
I first saw Gomez play at Sarasota Open last year. Huge power on forehand and serve, huge fighter with a lot of passion and intensity, he stood out. An energy that made you feel, This guy wants it so bad he will get there. Hits a massive ball. A striking powerful Hulk like figure. Not long after he won a Challenger. This year has been a struggle. I saw him in Tallahassee and Savannah, had a team of three guys with him, very professional looking team. This year his ATP page doesn’t name any coach. Imagine he’s on a shoe string budget. Will watch him in Sarasota as Kozlov decided to play Mexico City instead.
Steve · March 28, 2025 at 10:50 am
Even with the ATP’s Baseline programme, with which he should get $200k according to his ranking, he struggles. I’ve been told players need a $100k for travel and hotels for a year. Then having a team, stringing costs, extra meals & etc.
Scoop Malinowski · March 28, 2025 at 11:50 am
Last year in Sarasota, Tallahassee and Savannah Bergs, was ranked 109, had a coach and physio with him at all times, funded by Belgian Tennis Federation. A year later today – he’s 51 in the world. If he came to Sarasota alone, I think it would be a different story.
Scoop Malinowski · March 28, 2025 at 11:57 am
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Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2025 at 9:24 am
Fede Gomez lost in 1R Houston qualies to Brooksby 63 67 46. Another heartbreaker for poor Fede. Now 0-2 since meeting w Djokovic, lost 57 57 in Miami Open qualies. He’s right there though, on the cusp of a breakthrough to top 100. Lets Go Fede.
Sam · April 7, 2025 at 4:33 am
Apparently Gomez is the second seed at Sarasota.
Scoop Malinowski · April 7, 2025 at 8:09 am
Yes, the top seed Hijikata is out with injury and Brandon Holt also withdrew. Didn’t see Gomez practicing yesterday but I got there late around 2.
Sam · April 14, 2025 at 4:22 am
Well, at least Gomez made the semis.
Scoop Malinowski · April 14, 2025 at 8:39 am
Gomez made SF in singles and finals in doubles. He’s on the cusp of making it to top 100 or 75 or 50 but this is where the job gets a lot tougher. Hope he breaks on through to the other side.
Sam · April 21, 2025 at 5:57 am
Well, most of all I hope he can reach a point where he’s no longer suicidal. 🙏
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2025 at 7:44 am
I dont think he ever was, just embellished it for attention, as some players do about challenges – Caro’s rheumatoid arthritis vanished, Fish’s mental health, Zverev diabetes, etc. Gomez is at the moment of truth of his career, age 28, it may be do or die now, or at least he thinks so. But Victor Estrella didn’t get to top 100 until age 33 and then he won two ATP titles and got to around top 50. Gomez lost 1R in singles and doubles in Tally and now he’s second seed in Savannah. I get the sense he really feels he must make his move now into top 50 and so he must win these Challengers to get the points bc he has a lot of Challenger points to defend in summer.