The great tennis players as told by Gianni Clerici
Adriano Panatta
Born in 1950, the Roman tennis player — the second Italian after Pietrangeli to win a Grand Slam title — reached the peak of his career in 1976: within a few months, he triumphed at the Italian Open in Rome, the Roland Garros in Paris, and the Davis Cup in Santiago, Chile with the Italian national team.
To learn more:
• May 25, 1976: “Panatta the Miraculous Survivor”
Nicola Pietrangeli
Born in Tunis in 1933, Pietrangeli was the first Italian to win a Grand Slam title, claiming victory at the Roland Garros in 1959 — a feat he would repeat in 1960. In addition to being ranked No. 3 between 1959 and 1961, he boasts three titles in Monte Carlo and two at the Italian Open. He took part in Italy’s Davis Cup victory in 1976 as a non-playing captain.
To learn more:
• Montecarlo: a tournament quite… Italian
• ‘Er Francia’ shines in Paris: Nicola Pietrangeli, Grand Slam Champion
• Wimbledon 1960: diary of a ‘day player’
Jannik Sinner
Born in San Candido (TN), the 2001-born player has been ranked No. 1 in the ATP rankings continuously since June 2024: he has won three Grand Slam titles — one US Open (2024) and two Australian Opens (2024 and 2025); with the Italian national team, he secured the Davis Cup victories in 2023 and 2024.
Per approfondire:
• Sinner’s Triumph and Gianni Clerici’s “Prophecies” — by Luca Aprea, Cattolica News, January 29, 2024.