Ignacio Buse: The Peruvian talent who is breaking the mold 

Peru has produced only a few world-class tennis players over the years. Apart from Alejandro Olmedo, born in Peru but later competing for the United States and inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the country’s tennis legacy has been shaped by Jaime Yzaga, Luis Horna, and Pablo Arraya. All three managed to win at least one ATP singles title- an impressive feat for the Andean nation.

Now, a new generation is preparing to follow in their footsteps, led by 21-year-old Ignacio Buse from Lima. Alongside Juan Pablo Varillas, Buse is one of only two Peruvians currently ranked in the ATP Top 250, and he is widely seen as his country's most promising future prospect.

A promising path through the junior ranks

Buse was a successful junior, competed in all four Grand Slam events and broke into the Top 10 of the ITF Junior Rankings - clear indicators of his potential. In October 2023, he claimed his first ITF World Tennis Tour title in Mendoza, Argentina, and went on to win two more in the months that followed.

In December, the young South American made a key decision for his development: he moved to Europe and joined the TEC Carles Ferrer Salat Academy in Barcelona. "The training conditions are simply better there," says Buse of the move.

From Barcelona to Bad Rappenau: First ATP Challenger Tttle in Germany

Earlier this month, Buse made headlines at the Neckarcup 2.0 in Bad Rappenau. Despite persistent rain, he captured his first ATP Challenger title in the small town near Heilbronn, celebrating the biggest success of his career so far.

“I was in Austria a few weeks ago, and we had similar conditions there. The balls are heavy, but I managed to adapt well,” he said during the tournament in the Kraichgau region. “The courts are slippery, but in really good shape. Most of the time, they were playable just 30 minutes after the rain.”

German roots, global ambitions

Ranked World No. 153, Buse doesn’t quite fit the classic mold of a South American clay-court specialist. He prefers an attacking game style, enjoys playing on faster surfaces, and dreams of winning Wimbledon or the French Open. “I’ve improved in many areas,” he states confidently. He already represents Peru in the Davis Cup, something he calls “the greatest honor.”

His family history also reflects an international background: his great-grandfather was German. “I don’t really know the exact family history, and I don’t have any relatives left here. They’re all in Peru,” Buse explains.

Cooking skills and career goals

Off the court, Buse is pursuing an online degree in business, though balancing it with tennis isn’t easy. “It’s impossible to study during tournament weeks. I manage to catch up during practice weeks,” he says with a smile. Still, he’s committed to both paths.

Unlike many athletes, Buse is only mildly interested in football. “I keep up with the results of my club, Universitario de Deportes in Lima, but I rarely watch the games. I used to follow them more when my cousin was on the team. Now that I live in Spain, I keep an eye on FC Barcelona instead.”

Healthy eating is a bigger passion for him, and it runs in the family. Buse is the nephew of Gastón Acurio, a world-famous Peruvian chef. Culinary talent seems to be in his blood. His most recent dish? “Baked salmon with some pasta,” he says. Simple, but as we know, simplicity often makes the best meals.

Aiming high: The dream of a Grand Slam final

His goals on the court are just as clear. “Of course, I don’t want this to be the peak. I’m working hard to keep moving up,” says Buse. The ultimate dream? To reach a Grand Slam final someday. He knows it’s a long road, but the young man from Lima seems to have everything it takes to make that dream a reality.