Italy's tennis renaissance has taken the world by storm, with three Italians making it to the quarterfinals of the Roland Garros men's singles draw. Flavio Cobolli's surprise run to the final has left the tennis community stunned, but not the Italians themselves. They've been building a strong foundation for years, thanks to the Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel's (FITP) overhaul of the sport.
The FITP's focus on junior recruitment and scouting has paid off, with 13 decentralised federation centres nationwide identifying talent from the age of 10. The federation's free-to-air TV channel, Super Tennis, has also increased visibility and opportunities for players. Italy now has more players in the top ten than any other country, with four in the men's singles draw at Roland Garros.
The absence of top players Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti has only highlighted Italy's strength in depth. Gaia Piccardi, a sportswriter for over 30 years, calls this era the 'nouvelle vague' or new wave of Italian tennis. Riccardo Crivelli of La Gazetta Dello Sport says, 'We've become the model for France.' The Italians are proud of their achievement, but also aware of the challenge ahead.
The FITP's hard work has created a 'virtuous cycle' of success, with Sinner's influence sending it through the roof. The sport is more visible, with tennis ratings on Italian TV second only to football. Kids are asking their parents to take them to play tennis, and the FITP's tennis rankings cover 7,491 males and 2,331 females across age groups.
Italy's tennis revolution is a cultural one, with the sport becoming more popular and accessible. The FITP's efforts have paid off, and the country is reaping the rewards. As Crivelli says, 'We're very pleased, even a little proud, let's say a little embarrassed – that they look at us with a little envy.'
