Raise your hand if you know anything other than tennis nerds Jiří Veselý And Lukáš Rosol. But if you go in Czech Republicalso the supermarket cashier of Český Krumlova city in southern Bohemia, would be able to trace the identikit of this pair of giants. And, rest assured, he would be perfectly capable of telling you what he was doing on that November 18, 2012, when a wonderful Radek Štěpánek and the imperturbable Tomas Berdych – these are already better known even to those who know tennis without the need to place it between two slices of bread – they raised the second to the sky Davis Cup consecutive. Let’s be clear, historically there have also been those in the palmares of salad bowlshe was able to do better (5 times and 4 times in a row). United Statesdouble poker for theAustralia), but the point is another and concerns the ability of a country to enjoy the historical moment. Because if in Czech Republic they will remember for life Jiří Veselý And Lukáš Rosol – numbers 3 and 4 respectively in the team that won the second Davis Cup in a row – probably in Italy they will struggle to do the same, in twelve years – at least the cashiers of They lived or public employees of Sciacca – with Simone Bolelli And Andrea Vavassorior the supporting characters ofItaly who triumphed in the Nations Tournament for the second year in a row. They will certainly remember the names of Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini And Lorenzo Musettibut they will forget everything else.
Nothing is taken for granted
THE’Italy that Davis wins again is already part of the obvious, bordering on necessary. As well as the victories of His Majesty Jannik in the Slams or in the Master 1000. And yet nothing is taken for granted. Until 5-7 years ago Italy lived on the genius and recklessness of Fabio Fogniniat least to say that we too could boast an athlete among the top 20 in the world (do you have any idea how big the world is and how many nations are ready to produce top-level athletes there?): a more than dignified result, even if there was better.
The change of gear and the female cyclone
In the meantime – even before, in fact – the tennis movement, from the Federation to the small city club, began to grind. The advent of the current president Angelo Binaghithen, represented the right picklock to undermine years of slightly more anonymous history. Starting with women’s tennis which has already changed gear in the last 15-20 years, showing itself perfectly capable of staying on track even after the farewell of the three sopranos Flavia Pennetta, Francesca Schiavone And Roberta Vinci (the fourth, Sara Erraniis still there even if it remains very competitive mainly in doubles, as evidenced by the Olympic gold). Today there is Jasmine Paolinibut not only that, and the victory of Billie Jean King Cup – the female Davis – is testimony to this: also growing greatly Elisabetta Cocciaretto And Lucia Bronzetti.
The male iceberg
Just as, in the masculine, there is more than Sinner: starting with Matteo Berrettiniwho was able to overcome a cynical, cheating and very spiteful destiny, to continue with Lorenzo Musetti (Olympic bronze), Matteo Arnaldi, Flavio Cobolli, Luciano Darderi, Lorenzo Sonegothe same Fabio Fognini, Luca Nardi, Mattia Bellucci (just to stay in Top 100 orbit!). And behind them there are clubs that enlarge the structure and families that encourage their children to wear tennis shoes (in a strict sensethis time). There is only one step left to complete: start enjoying what you have, without second thoughts and without taking anything for granted. Because Italy’s tennis is experiencing the most beautiful and brightest phase of its history.