Today is a sad day for all of us: at the age of 80, Guillermo Salatino, a journalist who paved the way for many generations of professionals and expanded the coverage of Argentine tennis worldwide, has passed away. 'The 'Maestro Salata', the number one', he wrote. Guillermo Salatino's departure leaves a huge void in Argentine sports journalism. That's why I stopped going to tournaments. 'My mom used to take me in her baby carriage when she went to watch my father play,' he recalled with emotion, illustrating a nearly natural bond with sport that would later turn him into one of its main promoters in the country. The Argentine Tennis Association said goodbye to Salatino with a heartfelt message on social networks. Buenos Aires, Jan 17 (NA) -- Guillermo Salatino, a renowned Argentine sports journalist specializing in tennis, has died at the age of 80. According to reports, the death occurred this Saturday at the La Trinidad clinic in San Isidro due to cardiac arrest while preparing for a hip surgery he was to undergo next week. Salatino had turned 80 last September 21 and remained actively involved in journalistic activities. His didactic style, analytical gaze, and measured tone made him an inescapable reference for listeners, colleagues, and athletes. In one of his last interviews, Salatino had frankly spoken about the health difficulties he was facing. 'Thank you for spreading our sport for almost half a century,' the entity expressed. Journalist Danny Miche also remembered him with deep sorrow, sharing years of work alongside him. His last great work was the coverage of the 2025 Davis Cup finals, held last November in Bologna, a symbolic farewell for someone who dedicated his career to closely following Argentine tennis players around the world. In addition, he had an extensive and remembered stint on Radio Continental, where he worked for years as a tennis columnist on 'Competencia', the historic sports program conducted by Víctor Hugo Morales and a ratings leader for generations. His legacy, his voice, and his commitment to tennis will remain as an obligatory reference for future generations. I grew up listening to his reports on Sport80, my dream was to be like him someday. Although he had announced in 2022 that he would no longer travel, he was present this year at two of the Davis Series played by Argentina abroad, in Groningen and Bologna. For decades, he worked at Radio La Red, where he consolidated himself as one of the most authoritative voices in the coverage of Argentine and international tennis. 'I would like to go again, but in another way, not to work 12 hours as I always did at the big tournaments,' he had explained, making it clear that his partial withdrawal was not due to a lack of passion, but for physical reasons. That passion for tennis accompanied him since childhood. 'I had the honor and luck to share my entire professional life with him,' Miche said. 'A father has died, an example for all of us. We will miss you, Salata. He taught me everything. We shared his last coverage at the Davis in Bologna 2025. 'I have six stents, I was diagnosed with COPD, there are also difficulties walking.'
