Sánchez Ruiz: “We have to change something” at the Reyes Cup
The US Open champion returns for his third Reyes Cup determined to turn two defeats into a different outcome, while helping debutant Aleksa Pecelj settle into the team.
Francisco Sánchez Ruiz knows what it feels like to watch Asia lift the Reyes Cup. He has been on the opposing side on both occasions.
The Spaniard represented Europe at the inaugural edition in 2024 and returned with Rest of the World in 2025. Now, arriving in Makati as the reigning US Open champion, he wants his third appearance to end differently.
“We lost the last two years, so this year is going to be different,” he said.
There is confidence in that statement, but also an acknowledgement that improvement has to come through the team’s work.
“Definitely we have to change something. We have a very strong team.”
Turning opponents into partners
Under Ralf Souquet, Sánchez Ruiz has been preparing alongside Shane Van Boening, Joshua Filler, Fedor Gorst and Aleksa Pecelj.
The early sessions have included doubles practice, giving players accustomed to trying to beat one another time to develop a different understanding around the table.
For Sánchez Ruiz, that is part of what makes a team event special. The opportunity extends beyond sharing a shirt. It means spending time together, working on the same problems and learning how to help a partner through a match.
“Normally, you play against them and now we play together,” he said.
His own team experience includes Mosconi Cup success with Europe and a World Cup of Pool title alongside David Alcaide. At the Reyes Cup, however, the winning moment has remained out of reach.
Rest of the World’s challenge is to make this combination work against an Asia side with two titles behind them and home support in Makati.
Helping Pecelj find his feet
Among his teammates, Pecelj is encountering this occasion for the first time.
Sánchez Ruiz points to the Serbian’s recent form as evidence of the quality he brings: a Phoenix Open title, an Arizona Open final and a US Open semi-final. His ability is already established. The new experience is taking that game into this team environment.
“We just try to help him,” Sánchez Ruiz said.
That support connects with what Pecelj described in his own pre-event interview: the value of spending several days alongside established champions, asking questions and learning from their experience.
For Sánchez Ruiz, helping the newcomer is part of a wider responsibility. Asked what he needs to bring to secure a first Reyes Cup victory, his answer is confidence, both for Pecelj and for the rest of the group.
A team full of individual contenders still needs its players to encourage one another and feel comfortable in the occasion. Enjoying their time together is part of that process.
A different finish to the week
Sánchez Ruiz says his US Open victory has helped him arrive with the feeling of being in a winning moment. The Reyes Cup asks him to pursue another trophy in company.
His emphasis throughout the interview is on preparation, confidence and making the most of the time shared with his teammates. Those are the things Rest of the World can build before the first match begins.
Asia have set the standard across the competition’s first two editions. Sánchez Ruiz has seen that at close quarters. His third visit brings the opportunity to help change the outcome.
The 2026 Roobet Reyes Cup begins on Thursday 15 October at Makati Coliseum and runs until Sunday 18 October. Book your tickets to experience the contest in person, or check the official event page for event information and viewing links. US viewers can watch live on ESPN+ on the ESPN App and WNT TV.
