Jannik Sinner as an example but also as a help, in the sense that he allows him to work calmly, without pressure. A constantly growing confidence, which goes hand in hand with physical and technical improvements and with excellent long-distance stability. Luca Nardi is finding continuity, a magic word that acts as a precursor to success. In tennis and beyond. After the triumph over Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells, the title arrived in the Challenger of Naples. And after Naples, qualification for Monte-Carlo.
“Luca has confidence in his abilities, he has better mental strength than before,” underlines Giorgio Galimberti, the former Davisman who has been following him for a few months in a team which also includes Marco De Rossi and the trainer Stefano Barsacchi. “Both in the same match – continues Galimberti – and in the long term, the progress is evident. We lost three weeks of preparation at the start of the season, but in any case we also worked during the tournaments. Stefano Barsacchi, who FITP assigned to us as a trainer, put a lot of fuel in the engine. And thinking of stopping ‘when the iron is hot’ is a gamble. Tennis is also about rankings and points, so let’s keep going as long as our foot is firmly planted on the accelerator. Then we will stop when Luca reaches such a level that he himself feels the need to stop.”
Marco De Rossi, from San Marino, himself a former pro, confirms by adding an important detail: “You have more responsibility when you face opponents who have more or less the same ranking. Paradoxically everything is easier mentally with Djokovic. Now he wins many matches in the third, there is physical and mental progress.”
The qualifications passed in Monte-Carlo, for the second time in a row, are another positive sign. And they offer a tremendously fascinating board: first Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is certainly not at his best today. Then, in case of victory, Carlos Alcaraz. Luca Nardi returns to shine in the Principality, which last year was full of joys and sorrows, as his coach says: “Maybe – underlines Galimberti – it seemed that that defeat against Musetti (6-0 6-0, ed.) was over in a relatively peaceful, painless manner. But it wasn’t exactly like that: Luca certainly didn’t deserve that score, he accepted it but didn’t fully digest it, until the challenge with Djokovic at Indian Wells. Before entering the field, his main concern was not to be lectured. We spoke with him for a long time to make him understand that this risk did not exist. And in fact, what we saw happened: he beat the world number 1.”
If Galimberti has more tennis under his belt, for Marco De Rossi this is the first experience with a player of this level, in the role of coach. “For me it is a great opportunity, which was given to me first and foremost by Luca. And collaborating with Giorgio is important, also because he has been my coach for a long time. With Nardi everything started from friendship, then over time a working relationship was established. The team works and there is as much to learn as always.” “Marco – adds Galimberti – has played at a good level, has gained experience as a coach and understands my vision of the game. We understand each other quickly now, after many years spent together. It’s easy for us to convey the same thoughts to Luca, given that ours often coincide.”
Now Nardi has a more mature attitude on the pitch, less inclined to the discouragement he often showed to his opponents in negative moments. “Now – explains Galimberti – he hides his frustration and manages to react. An important quality, not only for yourself but also in front of your opponents.” De Rossi agrees: “He is now aware that he is ready to compete at a certain level: winning in two or three sets doesn’t change him much, which is why he’s winning so much over distancewhich didn’t happen before.”
Galimberti takes things further: “Before, he always said about the others that they were very strong. Today it does it but in the right measure. Because he too is part of the very strong ones, while if you consider others too strong, at the same time you belittle yourself. I am convinced that if he could bring some variety to the game, in addition to the ability to play close to the rebound, then he could become difficult even on clay. If instead he starts exchanging in a monothematic way against consistent opponents, then he loses something in quality. He must be a universal player even on clay, taking the net whenever needed. Also because perhaps the Monte-Carlo courses are slow but today’s clay in general tends to be fast.”
Speaking of clay, there is a good friend of Luca who on the crushed brick will be the special observer and – most likely – the favorite in every tournament he takes part in. “I know that Alcaraz and I are good friends – confirms De Rossi – but Luca is now very focused on himself, he doesn’t look too much at others, not even those he knows well. For him the most important thing has become his own growth as a person, not the comparison with those at the top.”
And speaking of top players, we cannot fail to mention Sinner. “Jannik – continues De Rossi – is the driving force, he is important for the whole movement. He teaches, he is an example for everyone, starting from his attitude. Explain with facts why it is successful.” Galimberti nods: “He’s bringing a lot of attention to tennis and so others are benefiting from it too. There are a lot of investments in our sport in general, Jannik is alone but the movement is big and there are many who can grow. Once upon a time, someone like Nardi would have been the center of attention. The fact that he remains a little hidden is a positive factor for him. He’s not one of those who seeks visibility or likes to be a star. Although, when he goes up, perhaps he will have to get used to it. But Sinner teaches us something here too: he started out as an anti-star, now he is a phenomenon in this respect too.”
2024-04-07 17:26:39
#Coachs #words #Nardi #confidence #universal #player
