Find Out: Tennis director speaks on the emergence of new stars, and the future of Italian tennis
Italian Tennis, Matteo Berrettini
Italian tennis is on the rise in the past few years. The country has witnessed several stars who are making it big on the ATP Tour. Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti got their fair share of limelight last season, after they announced themselves on the circuit. Jannik Sinner clinched his first ATP title, and also managed to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open.
On the other hand, Italian tennis already has experienced players in the form of Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini. Italian tennis director, Filippo Volandri spoke on the emergence of tennis in his country, and how they are primed to have a successful future. Volandri has secured the biggest win of his career at Rome Masters 2007, after he defeated Roger Federer in straight sets. Shortly after his playing career, the Italian decided to embark upon a new venture.
Volandri gave reasons as to why Italian tennis is on the rise in the past few years, and believes that the best is yet to come. “We haven’t solved everything overnight. But we went to talk to the coaches and made sure they trusted us. They saw the federal coaches as a danger, but instead we wanted the players to become attached to their coaches. So it was and now we help them grow together, with advice they could never have afforded,” he said.
“He is a special boy,” Volandri on Matteo Berrettini
The Italian tennis director heaped praise on Matteo Berrettini who is in the form of his life at the moment. Ranked inside the top 10, the 25-year old lifted the Serbia Open title, and also reached the finals of the Madrid Masters 2021.
“It is no coincidence that he arrived Top 10. Matteo after the stops due to injuries has always come back stronger and this is important,” said Volandri.
“We didn’t think that after Monte Carlo he would already bring home the title in Barcelona, he lacked the pace of the match. Instead he was very good. His precocity comes from a great maturity: he is a bit too self-critical, but he is a special boy,” he added.
He then moved onto Jannik Sinner, and had special praise reserved for him too. The teenager reached the finals of the Miami Open 2021, and also made it to the semifinals of Monte Carlo Masters. Volandri believes that Sinner is an exceptional talent, who is looking to improve every single day.
“It has something more, and in many respects. First of all, talent, and a quality different from the others. For the data in Miami and Monte Carlo straight and backhand were the fastest of all, including Djokovic. He lives for tennis, he looks to improvement and not to results. Today everyone plays well in tennis, the difference is their attitude. And he has it,” the director said.
Nirmit Mehta
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