Challenger
How Virtanen extended his winning streak after summer of pain
The 24-year-old is 8-0 in Challenger finals
November 04, 2025
Cameron Smith/Getty Images for LTA
Otto Virtanen is Finland’s highest-ranked player in the PIF ATP Rankings.
By Grant Thompson
Otto Virtanen laid on the grass in pain at this year’s ATP 250 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, moments away from victory. He had just slipped during an extended rally at 7-6(6), 5-5 against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
“I was laying there for some minutes. Physios, doctors came and they did some tests and then it was hurting a lot, but somehow I thought I could still play,” Virtanen told ATPTour.com.
After getting his knee taped, the Finn returned to the baseline and played eight more points, all with a torn MCL. He leaned on drop shots to shorten rallies and managed to secure the first-round win before withdrawing from the tournament.
The injury was a difficult setback for Virtanen, who had lifted an ATP Challenger Tour trophy in Birmingham the week prior and was on the brink of returning to the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings.
“I felt I was playing some of the best tennis in my whole career and all around I was doing really well,” said Virtanen, who was sidelined for 10 weeks. “I was really looking forward to Wimbledon. So I missed one of my favourite tournaments of the year, but it happens. I just tried to keep my focus on how I have many years to play.
“It was a Grade 2 tear. Grade 3 is completely out, the maximum, and Grade 1 is slight. It was Grade 2 and quite a bad one.”
Virtanen later posted a photo on Instagram giving a thumbs up in a knee brace, captioned, “Trying to enjoy the summer now with one leg…”
The 24-year-old spent his recovery at home with family, determined to stay active despite the limitations of a knee injury.
“It was tough to do anything moving wise, just a couple weeks of light walking and then starting the rehab after one week,” said the No. 141 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. “Very light stuff and doing something every day, trying to get it back in shape and not lose all the muscles around the leg. And I think it worked really well.”
Virtanen wasted little time finding his rhythm upon returning to the Tour. In October, he triumphed at the Roanne Challenger, his third event back. With that win, Virtanen became the fourth player in Challenger history to win his first eight title matches, alongside Pablo Carreno Busta (11), Robin Haase (8) and Horst Skoff (8).
Otto Virtanen at the Roanne Challenger.” style=”width:100%” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2025/10/13/13/56/virtanen-roannech-2025.jpg”>
Otto Virtanen in action at the Roanne Challenger. Credit: Clement Corso
Virtanen even needed to save match points in two of those title runs. It begs the question: What works so well for him in those high-stakes matches?
“I think I prepare myself really good for the finals, just playing freely and having zero expectations,” Virtanen said. “Don’t think about winning or losing, just play the normal game and somehow it worked every time really well.
“I think I always had different kinds of matches and I think the longer the tournament always went, the better I started playing and not always it has been the best match of my week, but most of the time it has definitely been the best match of my week. Just brought the A game on the most important matches of the week.”
Seven of Virtanen’s eight Challenger titles have come on indoor hard courts, hardly a surprise for a player raised in Finland. This week, Virtanen is back on home soil, competing at the HPP Open 2025 in Helsinki. How fitting it would be if Virtanen can extend his perfect final winning streak in his home country.
