L U C I A N O D A R D E R I
Photographed & Interviewed by John Russo
JR: What is your favorite thing about being on the tour?
LD: Tennis gives you the chance to travel around the world for over 30 weeks a year, allowing you to have a variety of experiences and connect with cultures you may not have known before. Personally, I enjoy visiting the cities where we play and creating memories tied to each place.
The tour also allows you to build many wonderful friendships. It’s not something to be taken for granted, especially in an individual and highly competitive sport like tennis, but that’s precisely why the relationships formed on the tour often hold a special value.
JR: How has your newly found fame and recognition affect you when you go back to your country?
LD: Let’s just say that my successes haven’t changed me as a person, but rather the image others have of me. Now that I’ve become a public figure, it’s only natural that there’s more interest in my life these days, and it’s wonderful to feel the affection of fans all over the world.
Italy, moreover, is a very grateful and warm country. Playing the Internazionali d’Italia at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia offers a completely different experience compared to any other tournament on the circuit.
JR: Currently, who do you think is the hardest person to play?
LD: Sinner is undoubtedly the best tennis player in the world right now, but I also have enormous respect for Alcaraz, who is an extraordinary player. Both are far ahead of all the other players.
JR: If Nadal played Federer next week on clay, who would win?
LD: No-brainer, Nadal! He’s the king of clay.
JR: If you could play one player who has retired who would be?
LD: Federer! He’s my childhood idol and the perfect tennis player. In another life, we’ll play in a Wimbledon final!
to learn more about Luciani follow him @luciano_darderi