Hugo Calderano did not participate in the WTT US Smash due to bureaucratic difficulties related to his entry into the United States. As a Portuguese citizen, Hugo would normally be eligible to enter the United States through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), since Portugal is part of the Visa Waiver Program for European Union countries. Hugo submitted his ESTA application as usual. However, due to an unusually long processing time by the U.S. authorities, he proactively contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). He was then informed that he was no longer eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, as he had traveled to Cuba in 2023 to compete in the Pan American Championships and the Olympic Qualifying Event for Paris 2024 — both sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Faced with this situation, Hugo immediately took steps to obtain an emergency visa, with support from the United States Table Tennis Association (USATT) and the United...