"If you don’t want to come...": Francisco Cerundolo fires back as Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals 'real reason' he skips South American swing

Stefanos Tsitsipas has never been shy about speaking his mind, and his latest comments have stirred up a real conversation in the tennis world. The Greek star has finally explained why he skips the South American swing every season — the run of ATP events across Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago that draws passionate crowds and some of the most electric atmospheres on tour.

His answer was refreshingly direct: the money simply is not there. In a candid interview with Clay, Tsitsipas laid out his thinking without apology and it has got fans and players talking in equal measure.The timing matters because South American tennis is having a real moment right now. Local heroes are winning titles, crowds are packed and the region's players are pushing hard to attract bigger names to what they lovingly call the Golden Swing.

So when a top-10 calibre player like Tsitsipas openly says he would rather head to the Middle East or Europe because the money is better, it lands differently.

When money talks louder than passion

Tsitsipas was matter-of-fact when explaining his position. "South America has never offered me a deal enticing enough to seriously consider it. The Middle East has always been far more lucrative. The European swing has also made me attractive financial offers.

That makes all the difference. There's real passion in South America, but when the financial gap is that big, you really have no choice but to follow what best supports your career," the 27-year-old said.Fresh off claiming his first career ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires, World No. 19 Francisco Cerúndolo was asked to respond. The Argentine did not take the bait personally. Instead, he gave one of the more measured and confident replies ahead of his Santiago quarterfinal against Emilio Nava.

Cerúndolo made it clear he has no interest in convincing anyone who is in it purely for the payday. "If you don't want to come here, don't come.

All those who want to play on clay, discover South American cities, and play a different style of tennis will be more inclined to join us. Those who don't will head to the Middle East or straight to Acapulco. The beauty of the schedule is that players can choose the tournaments they want to play. The positive is that the calendar is flexible, aside from the Masters 1000s and Grand Slams. After that, you can pick the ATP 250s and 500s you want to play — that is, go to places where you feel most comfortable," he said.It is a debate that will not go away anytime soon. South America has the passion. The question is whether it can ever close the financial gap to match it.