The BMW Open’s new Center Court witnessed something extraordinary this week, thanks to a homegrown German youngster. 17-year-old Diego Dedura-Palomero accomplished a major feat as he won his opening round encounter against a formidable pro, World No.29 Denis Shapovalov, after the latter retired mid-match due to illness. Celebrating in his own style, the teenager drew a cross on the clay court before lying down on it to soak in the feeling of a special victory. Why so? Well, he just became the first player born in 2008 or after to win an ATP Tour main-draw match, with the score line reading 7-6(2), 3-0 in his favor at the time Shapovalov withdrew. With the youngster making headlines this week, due to his viral celebration after Shapovalov’s withdrawal, it’s the best time to know more about him. Let’s dive deeper!

Diego Dedura-Palomero was born in 2008, in Berlin, to a Chilean father, Cesar Palomero, and a Lithuanian mother, Rūta Deduraitė- Palomero. And guess what? They are both tennis coaches, too. No wonder the 17-year-old got the motivation to take up the sport professionally. Palomero’s parents were also his first trainers when he began playing the racket sport at the age of 3.

While his father is his hero (and current coach), Diego has grown up idolizing the likes of Norwegian pro Casper Ruud and GOAT Rafael Nadal. “Rafa has always been my role model since I was little. I watched all his matches. I know everything about him by heart,” he said in an interaction with Tennis Channel on April 17.

Diego’s hobbies include watching soccer matches. His favorite team is Real Madrid, and his favorite athlete is Mike Tyson. Being a teen, he’s a comic book fan too, with Batman being his favorite superhero. Among the movies, Coach Carter is his favorite, while Christian Bale is the actor he admires the most.

When it comes to the sport, his favorite shot is the forehand, and he loves the clay surface the most. The French Open is the one Grand Slam that Diego gets excited for every year.

Dedura-Palomero knows four languages (German, English, Spanish, and Lithuanian ) and calls it his special talent. He also has a brother, two years younger than him, named Mariano. The latter is a tennis player as well and currently competes on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Coming back to his newfound success on the ATP tour, Diego’s celebration couldn’t last long this week at the BMW Open. Yes, he earned a unique record to his name, but failed to extend his campaign in Munich. After clinching the win in the opener (R32), he lost the next match against Belgian Zizou Bergs in the R16. The latter handed Diego a double breadstick, beating him 6-1, 6-1.

But Diego has just started a long professional journey. Undoubtedly, he will learn and grow, playing in many events in the future. But more than his victory this week, his bizarre celebration caught everyone’s attention online. However, for him, it’s just a part of his personality. After that strange celebration, the 17-year-old shared his honest feelings.

Diego Dedura-Palomero’s reaction to his bizarre celebration at the BMW Open following Shapovalov’s walkover

Diego Dedura-Palomero’s unexpected journey into the main draw of the BMW Open is a story in itself. He wasn’t supposed to be playing this week at all. But the Lucky Loser was destined to earn his spot, and he got it, too. After Gael Monfils withdrew from the tournament, Diego replaced him in the main draw despite being on the losing side in the event’s qualifying stage. He won his first qualifying match against Mackenzie McDonald, but then lost to Alexander Bublik.

“I was in the players lounge, directly in the gym and then Gael Monfils came by. He went to the supervisor and I immediately realised, okay, something is wrong. My pulse went straight up, and then of course I was in the middle of the action, back to life,” Diego revealed, in an interaction with Tennis Channel on April 17. He also mentioned that Monfils wished him “good luck.”

And we know what transpired afterwards. The 17-year-old German talent earned his maiden ATP tour victory in a span of 64 minutes after Shapovalov’s withdrawal due to illness. As the latter walked off the court, Diego couldn’t control his emotions. To mark his arrival on the big stage, he drew a cross on the court before lying on it.

While many didn’t like this gesture, the teenager had his own reason to do so. “I would say I am quite religious. I believe in God and I think He helped me win today,” he explained. “I prayed for five minutes, and then I went out on court, took all my strength from Him, and then after the match, the gesture was simply gratitude.” He continued, “I knew that I had a feeling that I might win because I came in as a Lucky Loser, and that’s what happened!”

Well, for Dedura-Palomero, the goal is simple going forward in his career. “I’ll try to be the best tennis player I can be. Just be myself,” he says. Well, the teenager has a bright future ahead of him for sure, and there is no reason why he can’t become the best version of himself if he keeps working hard. Are you excited to follow his journey?