It was only his third ATP tournament, enough for Luciano Darderi to show all his talent this week. From the previous phase to winning his first title, the Italian touched the sky at the Córdoba Open and then he was that happy at a press conference.
Champion in Córdoba
“The sensations are incredible, winning the title coming out of Qualy, I think I started the week being #136 in the ranking, I knew that this final was very important for the classification issue because it represented a huge leap. With this I think I will ensure that I directly enter the Roland Garros and Wimbledon draw, another dream that I will be able to fulfill. I was a little nervous in the second set, I admit it, but I’m happy to have pulled it off.”
Of the Qualys in the end
“There have been many games, from the Qualy to the final, but we were both coming from that same journey, so we were both a little tired mentally and physically. It was a tough match where I knew how to hold on well in the second set, since in the first everything happened very quickly. Then I got nervous, but everything was decided at 4-4 in my favor. I have an aggressive style, that’s how we raised it with my dad and my physical trainer, the idea was to not stop pushing and always stay on the court. That is the plan I always offer.”
An unexpected title
“Last year I had already played here and it didn’t go as well, the thing is that this was my third ATP tournament, so I didn’t expect something like this. We had been working very well, in 2023 I had many results, six months ago I won my first Challenger, so it is very shocking to now win my first ATP. But nothing changes, I am going to continue training as hard as I can to try to compete with the best in the world. If bigger things come now, you have to be prepared for that level.”
Another week in Argentina
“It’s a dream to play the Argentina Open, I have to debut on Tuesday, although I know it won’t be easy after all this week. Tomorrow I’ll probably feel less tired, but I’m going to take it easy, I’m not going with many expectations, I prefer to face it in a more relaxed way. Obviously, it is the Argentina Open and I want to face it 100% after this good balance. Now very big tournaments are coming, I have to continue working and improving my game, not only to be #70 in the world, I have a lot of room for improvement.”
The serve, a differential blow
“It’s been a job for many years, my father made me take many serves since I was a child, a stroke that perhaps isn’t worked on as much around here. We always insist a lot on the serve and now I’m starting to take advantage of it, soon my brother is coming, who is a little smaller than me, but I’m sure he’ll end up playing better. This is the result of the work I do every day with my father, who is also my coach.”
2024-02-12 10:00:32
#doesnt #change #working
