Santiago Giraldo Salazar is a retired Colombian professional tennis player who competed on the ATP Tour and represented Colombia in Davis Cup competitions. Giraldo achieved a career-high singles ranking of 28th in the world and 77th in doubles.
He is recognized as the highest-ranked tennis singles player in Colombia’s history.
You can follow Santiago Giraldo’s biography, personal details, career overview, net worth, prize money, earnings, stats, achievements, and more here.
Santiago Giraldo’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Santiago Giraldo Salazar |
| Nickname | Santi, El Girald |
| Birth Date | November 27, 1987 |
| Height | 6’2″ (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Birthplace | Pereira, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Turned Professional | 2004 |
| Plays | Right-Handed, Two-Handed Backhand |
| Career-High Ranking | Singles: 28 (September 29, 2014), Doubles: 77 (June 8, 2015) |
| Residence | Barcelona, Spain |
Santiago Giraldo was born in Pereira, Colombia, on November 27, 1987. His father, Eduardo Giraldo, played a significant role in his tennis career, creating the Chiquitines Tournament 22 years ago to promote tennis among children.
Giraldo’s sister, Carmina, also played tennis and represented Colombia in the Fed Cup. Giraldo began playing tennis at the young age of 2, influenced by his family’s passion for the sport.
Professional Career
Santiago Giraldo’s tennis journey began early, with his first ATP ranking point coming at the age of 15 in October 2003. In 2005, he won his first professional tournament in Medellín, claiming a $15,000 prize in the ITF Futures category.
Giraldo’s professional career took off in 2006 when he won the Challenger de Bogotá title at the age of 18. He continued to make strides in 2007, winning multiple Challenger titles and entering the Roland Garros main draw as a “lucky loser”.
In 2010, Giraldo made a significant impact at the Australian Open, defeating 16th seed Tommy Robredo in the first round. He also had a strong showing at the 2010 Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, reaching the third round of the Masters 1000 event.
One of Giraldo’s career highlights came in 2014 when he reached the final of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, an ATP 500 event.
This performance, along with reaching the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters 1000, contributed to his career-high ranking of 28th in the world.
Santiago Giraldo’s Net Worth Details
Santiago Giraldo’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025.
Santiago Giraldo’s primary earnings sources were his professional tennis career prize money, and potentially some income from his YouTube channel.
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money (USD) |
| 2020 | 2,240 |
| 2019 | 116,759 |
| 2018 | 139,699 |
| 2017 | 244,228 |
| 2016 | 318,885 |
| 2015 | 645,818 |
| 2014 | 1,045,860 |
Career Earnings
Santiago Giraldo’s professional tennis career spanned from 2004 to 2020, during which he accumulated significant prize money. Throughout his career, Giraldo earned a total of $4,541,251 in prize money.
Giraldo’s most lucrative year was 2014 when he earned $1,045,860 in prize money.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Singles | Doubles |
| Career Titles | 0 | 0 |
| Career Record | 166-200 | 27-74 |
| Career Prize Money | $4,541,251 | – |
| Highest Ranking | 28 | 77 |
Achievements
- Reached the final of the 2014 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (ATP 500)
- Reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 Madrid Masters 1000
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of 28th in the world (September 29, 2014)
- Represented Colombia in Davis Cup competitions
- Reached the third round of Wimbledon (2014, 2015) and Roland Garros (2012)
FAQs
1. Who is Santiago Giraldo?
Santiago Giraldo is a retired Colombian professional tennis player born on November 27, 1987, in Pereira, Colombia. He is widely regarded as the most successful Colombian tennis player in history, achieving a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 28 in September 2014.
2. What are Santiago Giraldo’s career highlights?
Giraldo’s career highlights include reaching the finals of the 2014 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell and the 2011 Movistar Open. He also achieved significant victories over top players like Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
3. How did Santiago Giraldo perform in the Davis Cup?
Giraldo represented Colombia in the Davis Cup for over a decade, playing a record 30 ties. He was instrumental in taking Colombia to the World Group Playoffs multiple times.
4. Did Santiago Giraldo ever win an ATP title?
Santiago Giraldo did not win an ATP title during his career. He reached two ATP singles finals but finished as the runner-up in both.
5. What is Santiago Giraldo’s Grand Slam record?
Giraldo participated in all four Grand Slam tournaments, with his best performance being a third-round appearance at Wimbledon in 2014.
6. When did Santiago Giraldo retire from professional tennis?
Santiago Giraldo announced his retirement from professional tennis in 2020 after a long and dedicated career representing Colombia on the ATP Tour and Davis Cup.
7. What is Santiago Giraldo’s playing style?
Giraldo played right-handed with a two-handed backhand. He was known for his aggressive baseline game and strong groundstrokes.
8. Has Santiago Giraldo been involved in any relationships publicly?
Yes, Santiago Giraldo was previously in a relationship with Romanian tennis player Sorana Cîrstea.
9. What other interests does Santiago Giraldo have outside of tennis?
Giraldo enjoys reading, watching films, swimming, playing golf, and horse riding. He is also passionate about exploring different cultures and cuisines during his travels.
10. What legacy did Santiago Giraldo leave for Colombian tennis?
Giraldo set a benchmark for Colombian tennis by becoming the highest-ranked singles player in the country’s history and inspiring future generations to pursue professional tennis at an international level.
