Gastón Gaudio, the 2004 French Open champion, shared details about his unexpected two-month stay in Las Vegas following his retirement from tennis. On the TV show Otro Día Perdido, the former world No. 5 explained that he initially planned a week-long trip with five friends, including a former tennis player, but it extended to 60 days.
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Gaudio, who retired officially in 2011 after playing his last match in 2010, described his time in Las Vegas as a period of drifting away from his disciplined life. "In tennis, you have to be extremely professional and serious from a very young age. You miss out on thousands of experiences because you’re 100% dedicated to it. When I retired, I went a bit off the rails," he said.
During the trip, he noted that the environment of Las Vegas contributed to his sense of disorientation. Gaudio mentioned the challenges he faced with sleep due to the casinos' atmosphere, stating, "You never see daylight... they pump oxygen into the air conditioning to make it harder for you to sleep, so you spend more time playing at the tables." He decided to leave after 58 days, realizing that things were getting out of control.
The situation escalated on the last day, culminating with police involvement, although Gaudio had already returned to Argentina by that time. His remarks have attracted attention back home and may impact his bid for the presidency of Club Atlético Independiente, Argentina's most successful football club. The election is set for December 13, with support from club legend Ricardo Bochini.