Pedro Cachin's gamble pays off in bittersweet farewell
A desperate loan and unyielding pain carried the Argentine through clay-court triumphs and hidden struggles, until the spark dimmed, prompting his retirement at 30.
In the shadow of Barcelona's sunlit courts, Pedro Cachin lowered his racquet for the last time, his Instagram post a poignant close to a career etched in perseverance and quiet intensity. The 30-year-old Argentine, who peaked at No. 48 in 2023, shared reflections on a path defined by bold risks and the tour's relentless demands, from mountain-village clay in Gstaad to the electric buzz of Madrid's Masters. What unfolded was not just a sequence of matches, but a testament to the mental fortitude required to chase elusive breakthroughs amid mounting physical tolls.
Defying the circuit's early verdict
Standing at World No. 360 in 2021, Cachin confronted a tour-level record of just 3-2, his professional highlight limited to a Challenger title in Seville from 2015, where red dirt suited his grinding baseline style. The circuit's unforgiving pace had tested his resolve, tempting an early exit after years of qualifiers and quick defeats. Instead, he secured a €60,000 loan, betting on self-belief to fuel one more push toward Australian qualifying rounds the following year.
That decision sparked a shift in 2022, as he navigated Melbourne's hard courts with sharper returns and adaptive patterns, breaking into the Top 100 after clinching a sixth Challenger crown in Santo Domingo. His one–two combinations—deep serves followed by inside-out forehands—began to control rallies, turning defensive scrambles into offensive opportunities against weary foes. The gamble extended beyond finances; it rebuilt a fraying confidence, each qualifying win a step away from obscurity.
“The circuit slapped me around the face and told me, ‘No, no, to be a tennis player, you have to win more than just one title,” Cachin shared with ATPTour.com.
“I applied for a loan of €60,000 when I was World No. 360. I risked it all because I still had faith in myself. I set myself a goal of playing in qualies in Australia the following year. And I did it. 2022 is when things clicked into place,” he added, his words capturing the psychological lift that propelled further climbs.
Overcoming injury's hidden grind
From September 2021 to April 2023, chronic ankle pain from an extra bone forced daily pills to dull the ache, limiting practice to bare essentials on doctors' orders. Cachin channeled his energy into matches, relying on slice backhands and underspin to extend points without overtaxing his mobility, especially on clay where the surface's grip allowed tactical resets. This approach conserved stamina during crosscourt exchanges, turning potential vulnerabilities into prolonged battles that wore down aggressors.
His resilience shone in 2023, cresting into the Top 50 after capturing the ATP 250 in Gstaad, where high-altitude air amplified the thud of balls on clay as he pinned opponents with deep, looping forehands. In Madrid, he delivered his career's standout upset, toppling then-No. 11 Frances Tiafoe en route to the Round of 16—his deepest Masters 1000 run—using down-the-line passes to counter the American's power and exploit the dirt's high bounce. The Caja Magica's crowd energy surged with each point, a momentary escape from the pain shadowing his steps.
“From September 2021 to April 2023, I was playing with an injury. I would take a pill every single day to kill the chronic pain in my ankle because I have an extra bone there,” Cachin explained. “In fact, in 2022 I barely practised on the recommendation of doctors. I only played when I was competing. I overcame things like that with the innate competitiveness we tennis players have.”
These adaptations masked deeper strains, yet they forged a peak season where tactical precision met unyielding will, the Swiss valley's echoes fading into Madrid's roar as rankings rose.
Facing idols and embracing the end
By 2024, the tour's grind dulled his edge, though a clash with Rafael Nadal in Madrid during the Spaniard's final Caja Magica appearance briefly reignited motivation amid the venue's nostalgic hum. Trading heavy groundstrokes on clay, Cachin tested the legend's topspin with his own inside-in angles, the post-match shirt exchange at net a cherished token of shared heritage. “He’s my idol. Having the chance to face him was a gift I’ll always carry with me,” he reflected, the encounter a fleeting spark in a season of waning drive.
Defeats began to sting less, victories to satisfy less, signaling the internal fire's fade; his last match came in June at a Lyon Challenger, where familiar clay couldn't revive the old hunger. Peers honored his warmth in responses to the Instagram farewell, emphasizing respect over rankings in a sport that often measures worth by titles alone.
“It was an incredible journey with a lot of lessons along the way,” Cachin wrote in his post, which drew heartfelt tributes.
Alex Corretja, his former coach, praised the deeper rewards: “You were brave, you bet big without being sure of the rewards, and now you know... People love you and respect you — me more than anyone. That’s much more important than any title. Always on my team, or rather, always in my family.” Juan Martin del Potro added: “Congratulations Pedrito! I hope you really enjoy this new phase of your life. Thanks for being with us for such special moments.” Tomas Martin Etcheverry chimed in: “Amazing, my brother. I wish you all the best. Above everything else, you are one of the best people I have ever met. You deserve everything.”
“I lost that internal fire, because the defeats didn’t hurt so much and the wins didn’t taste as good,” the Argentine noted of 2024's shift. Now settled in Barcelona, he plans to unwind at home while traveling about 20 weeks yearly as a coach, guiding emerging talents through the mental and tactical trials he endured. His story, translated from ATPTour.com/es, underscores tennis's human core—where persistence on court mirrors life's quiet victories, leaving a legacy of grit for the next generation to build upon.
