Bordeaux & Valencia: The final Challenger stops ahead of Roland Garros await

The ATP Challenger Tour takes center stage this week with two Tennis Channel Showcase events—the BNP Paribas Primrose in Bordeaux and the Copa Faulconbridge in Valencia. Both are serving as key final stops for players preparing for Roland Garros.

With 175 ATP Ranking points awarded to the champions, €272,272 in total prize money offered at each event and elite-level fields, both tournaments have attracted a mix of established ATP stars, in-form challengers and some of the sport’s brightest young prospects.

Rinderknech leads the field in Bordeaux

In Bordeaux, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech headlines the draw as the tournament’s top seed. Currently ranked world No. 24, the French No. 2 received a wild card and arrives after a series of strong ATP Tour performances this season, making him one of the leading favorites on home soil.

Another major attraction is former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov. The 34-year-old Bulgarian brings experience and flair to the Bordeaux clay as he looks to build momentum ahead of the Paris Grand Slam. Dimitrov will take on a qualifier in the first round. Rinderknech awaits the winner of this match for a second-round clash.

The French Tennis Federation also awarded a wild card to 17-year-old Moïse Kouamé, one of the country’s most exciting young talents. Ranked No. 313 in the world, Kouamé continues to gain valuable experience at Challenger level while confirming the enormous expectations surrounding his future. The teenager from Paris will take on his compatriot Benjamin Bonzi in his opening match.

Second seed Tallon Griekspoor leads the bottom half of the draw. The 31-year-old Dutchman reached the final of the ATP 500 in Dubai earlier this season, highlighted by victories over Andrey Rublev and Jakub Menšík. Griekspoor, who fell in the first round of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome to Belgian youngster Alexander Blockx, will be among the main contenders for the title. He will face the winner of the encounter between Kouamé and Bonzi.

French fans will also have plenty of local stars to support throughout the week. Defending champion Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard returns after establishing himself as one of the biggest servers on the ATP Tour, while Terence Atmane, Alexandre Muller, Quentin Halys and Luca Van Assche further strengthen the contingent of the home favorites.

Tabilo is top seed in Valencia

Meanwhile in Valencia, the Copa Faulconbridge features another exceptionally strong field led by world No. 35 Alejandro Tabilo of Chile. After a first-round bye, the 28-year-old awaits the winner of the match between Aleksandar Kovacevic from the United States and Daniel Mérida of Spain.

Tabilo will be joined in the Levante by Argentines Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Sebastian Baez as well as German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff, Zizou Bergs of Belgium and second-seeded Spaniard Jaume Munar.

Spanish tennis will be strongly represented throughout the week, with Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, Bernabé Zapata Miralles and Nicolás Álvarez Varona all competing in front of the home crowd at the Club de Tenis Valencia.

One of the most emotional moments of the week is expected to come with the farewell of Valencia native Zapata Miralles. Awarded a wild card into the main draw, the 29-year-old Spaniard will bring his professional career to a close at home, adding a special atmosphere to an already prestigious tournament. He will take on 22-year-old Paraguayan talent Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the first round.

Beyond the action on court, the tournament also celebrated one of Spain’s most iconic tennis families during the official Copa Faulconbridge dinner on Saturday evening. The Club de Tenis Valencia honored the legendary Sánchez Vicario family—the only family whose members have all won the Copa Faulconbridge title.

The ceremony, attended by Emilio and Marisa Sánchez Vicario, included the announcement that Court 2 will officially carry the name “Pista Sánchez Vicario” throughout the tournament in recognition of the family’s extraordinary contribution to Spanish and international tennis.

Main-draw action in Bordeaux and Valencia will start on Tuesday.