Italian tennis is experiencing a resurgence, spearheaded by Jannik Sinner’s ascent as Wimbledon’s first-ever Italian top seed. His recent victory at the Halle Open in Germany, marking his inaugural grasscourt triumph, underscores his preparedness for the prestigious tournament. While Sinner garners headlines, Italy’s tennis revival extends far beyond him, showcasing a robust grassroots movement and the emergence of seven Italian men within the world’s top 60 players.
This resurgence contrasts sharply with Italy’s historical struggle to produce top-tier tennis talent. Prior to Sinner’s breakthrough at the 2024 Australian Open, Adriano Panatta was the last Italian man to clinch a Grand Slam title back in 1976. A decade ago, Italy lacked representation in the top 50 and had only three players in the top 100. Today, with nine Italians in the top 100, including six aged between 20 and 23, Italy boasts a youthful and promising talent pool poised for sustained success.
Key to Italy’s transformation has been a strategic overhaul of its tennis development framework under the leadership of Angelo Binaghi at the Italian Tennis Federation (FITP). Over the past decade, the federation has decentralized its coaching system, moving away from centralized national training centers towards a model that empowers young talents to develop under their own coaches. This decentralization has fostered collaboration among coaches, private clubs, families, and players—a departure from Italy’s traditionally individualistic approach.
Binaghi credits these reforms for Italy’s rapid progress, noting that even countries like France have looked to Italy for insights into their successful methods. The restructuring has coincided with a surge in grassroots participation, buoyed by landmark achievements such as Sinner’s Grand Slam victory and Matteo Berrettini’s historic Wimbledon final appearance in 2021. Tennis has now become Italy’s second most popular sport after football, with registered club players soaring from 129,000 in 2001 to 820,000 in recent years.
The FITP’s strategic investments in facilities, coaching centers, and tournaments have also contributed to Italy’s tennis renaissance. Italy now hosts the highest number of challenger tournaments worldwide, providing valuable opportunities for young players to gain competitive experience. The federation’s use of wildcards has further accelerated the development of promising talents like Federico Cina, a 17-year-old Sicilian currently ranked fifth in the world junior rankings.
Supported by his father in Palermo, Cina exemplifies the success of Italy’s new decentralized approach, benefiting from financial support, specialized coaching, and mental conditioning tailored by the FITP. His story reflects a broader trend where young Italian talents are nurtured locally and given the tools to compete on the global stage.
Looking ahead, Italy’s tennis ambitions continue to grow, with plans to surpass one million registered players—a milestone that promises further expansion of facilities and development programs. As Jannik Sinner and his compatriots compete at Wimbledon and beyond, they embody Italy’s resurgence in tennis—a testament to strategic reform, grassroots engagement, and a new era of Italian sporting success.
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By- Sahiba Suri