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#NextGenATP star Francesco Passaro is the newest Italian to have made his mark on Tour this season, with the 21-year-old capturing his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title in July earlier than climbing to a career-high No. 122 final month.
Passaro’s sturdy type has seen him rise into qualification rivalry for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, with the Italian at present ninth within the Pepperstone ATP Stay Race To Milan.
Nevertheless, life may have been very completely different for the proficient righty had he determined to pursue soccer over tennis when he was a teen.
“Once I first began taking part in tennis [aged six], my household was principally residing on the membership,” Passaro instructed ATPTour.com. “My home was simply two minutes from the membership and for me it was simple to go there. Then after I began to go, I had loads of mates and it was like my second household. I feel I spent extra time there than at my house.
“Once I was younger I additionally performed soccer. Then after I was 12 years outdated, I began to solely play soccer, for one yr. I ended practising tennis and was simply taking part in a couple of tournaments as a result of it was an excessive amount of. I used to be a goalkeeper in soccer and it was very good. Nevertheless, [it made me realise] I simply needed to play tennis.”
Passaro’s determination to swap his boots for his racquet has paid off this season, with the 21-year-old having fun with runs to a few Challenger Tour finals earlier than he lastly tasted glory on house soil in Trieste.
The Italian, who describes himself as mentally sturdy on court docket, possessing a robust serve and forehand, is happy with how he has carried out in opposition to higher-ranked opponents on the massive stage this season.
Passaro misplaced to #NextGenATP Dane Holger Rune within the remaining in San Remo, whereas he fell to #NextGenATP countryman Lorenzo Musetti in Forli. Each Musetti and Rune will compete in Milan in November.
“Each [finals] I misplaced within the third set,” Passaro stated. “In opposition to Holger, I used to be 4-2 and break level to go 5-2 up within the third set, so it was not simple after the match however I do know I’ve performed properly in opposition to an enormous participant. I perceive my capability and what I can do. In opposition to Lorenzo, he’s an enormous participant, so I simply have to remain optimistic after this loss. The final remaining I used to be very targeted, I used to be decided [to win]. There was just a little little bit of stress, I misplaced the primary set and was nervous, however ultimately, I simply tried to play my greatest tennis.”
Passaro will compete at simply his second tour-level occasion this week in Florence, the place has accepted a wild card into the ATP 250 occasion. It’ll present the house followers with a possibility to observe him in motion, with the 21-year-old one in all a number of Italians within the draw.
Eight of the High 20 gamers within the Pepperstone ATP Stay Race To Milan are from the European nation, signifying the power in depth the nation has. Passaro is delighted to journey on Tour along with his countrymen and feels their success helps encourage him.
“It’s nice,” Passaro stated. “I’m shut [with] Matteo Arnaldi. We’ve got performed loads of tournaments collectively and in doubles, so we’re very shut mates. Additionally with Lorenzo [Musetti], with Giulio [Zeppieri], Luca [Nardi] with Francesco [Maestrelli]. With these guys we now have performed loads of Challengers collectively this yr, it’s one thing particular to play all these tournaments collectively.
“When one begins to win, I feel ‘I also can win a match’. So we enhance our outcomes each week and with the rankings we wish to be a part of one another. A really massive assist for us is the tournaments [in Italy]. We’ve got the chance to play each week in Italy at an enormous degree.”
Learn 2022 Subsequent Gen ATP Finals Highlight Options
Jiri Lehecka
Jack Draper
Holger Rune
Shang Juncheng
Luca Nardi
Dominic Stricker
Chun-Hsin Tseng
Ben Shelton
With confidence excessive, Passaro might be aiming to complete his season in Italy on the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals. The 21-year-old, who holds a 29-14 document on the Challenger Tour this season, is happy at the potential of competing in Milan at an occasion he has fond recollections of watching.
“I watched on TV final yr and two years in the past when Jannik gained,” Passaro stated. “I feel for me it’s a massive alternative as a result of it’s in Italy and it’s going be of the perfect under-21 gamers on the planet. It’s a very massive purpose. This yr I’ve grown up lots. I’m now extra about myself. The Italian crowd. The power of the stadium and the environment could be very, very good.”
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