The years as a player (until he reached number 33 ATP), then those of apprenticeship as assistant, alongside Sergio Palmieri. Finally, from this year, the role of director of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Paolo Lorenzi was among the most intelligent and long-lived players of his generation, capable of evolving like few others during his career on the circuit. A search for constant progress that now moves into other, equally delicate areas. With a clear goal in mind: make Rome a model, the best of the Masters 1000.
“I like this role – explains the Tuscan when it is now clear that he is faced with the creation of a successful event – because it is about putting the players in the best possible conditions to express themselves at their best. Look for what he needs to give his best during the tournament. We try to improve every year, trying to be the best Masters 1000 in the world, surpassing Indian Wells.”
The introduction of the Under 16s, the return of the ITF wheelchair tournament after 5 years of absence, are just two of the big news: how did the experiment go? “The goal was to add something to the program for the second week. We are always very attentive to young people and the Under 16s are important with a view to continuing this path of growth of the movement, in search of champions of tomorrow. Likewise, wheelchair tennis is constantly evolving and the best players in the world have arrived here in Rome. It is a spectacular discipline, with phenomenal athletes, which deserves an important stage.”
The women’s tournament experienced the best possible final. Overall, how did it go? “Perhaps in singles we could have expected something more from the Italians, especially from Jasmine Paolini. But Swiatek and Sabalenka in the final are the best we can expect from a WTA tournament today. And the Errani/Paolini double still kept the spotlight on Italian tennis until the end. A beautiful emotion and an important hope in an Olympic key.”
The men’s tournament full of surprises, with an unprecedented final: your impression? “There is a generational change underway. We lived it 20 years ago and we live it now. In the last period, apart from Sinner and Alcaraz, for the others there is a great balance and little consistency: when they are well they are very competitive, but several weeks pass in which they do not achieve the desired results. Maybe other young people will come out, but they will inevitably not have the continuity of the experience. And in any case we were used to it badly: Federer, Nadal and Djokovic almost always played and when they played they won. So we’ve become unaccustomed to surprises, and it’s a shame. Now it seems that if there is a surprise the tournament was less strong than usual. The reality is that the future will be much more uncertain.”
The two-week tournament has received plaudits and raised questions. “First of all it must be said that there was a specific request from the players. It’s also about getting used to it. Whoever reaches the final in Madrid risks playing the following Saturday in Rome, then spends a week of rest. The goal is to give everyone more rest and avoid injuries. Every time, when there is a change, it takes time to assimilate it.”
The large influx of public has made us think about further improvements to the site. “But it’s a positive thing: we need to make sure we allow as many people as possible to see the matches. Maybe enlarging the fields where possible. Furthermore, with the kids area, we had our fill of children. Today everyone wants to see tennis. The players are very happy with the tournament and the spaces, they appreciate the space of the swimming pools and the Central bridge. Next year we will develop new ideas.”
Nadal, at 98 percent, was in his last year in Romeat least according to his words. “He never said it would be his last presence here in Rome. I believe that in his head there is the desire to return in 2025 to Monte-Carlo and also to us. But it will depend on how the next tournaments go. He’s a better Nadal than in Madrid, we’ll see in Paris. Djokovic? The doubts arose with the defeat in the Wimbledon final. Then came the one with Sinner in Davis, then the others. They are two different situations. But I’m curious to see how they will evolve, if they both still have some tricks up their sleeves to play.”
The Sinner effect dragged on at the start, then Italy discovered all the other Azzurri and lesser-known players. “It seems normal to me that there is particular attention on a champion like this. But let’s not forget that people come for the tournament, to see everyone. So much so that for Jarry-Paul there were a lot of people who bought tickets at the last minute, resulting in a full house. It means that beyond the big names, there is in any case a basic sporting culture that allows us to understand the value of the matches, even beyond the best known.”
“As for the Azzurri present, from Darderi to Cobolli, from Arnaldi to Nardi, they all played well. But it’s normal that when you have someone so strong, the others struggle to impose themselves on the media. In reality, it’s not even so : people recognize and support them all. It is a team achievement that was born 20 years ago, when the Italian Challenger circuit was built which allowed our team to play close to home. Now we must move forward on this path, without losing focus on the base, to also build tomorrow’s champions and a future that is equal to or better than the present.”
