Tennis Jacopo Vasamì, interview: “First goal? Playing a Slam”

Jacopo Vasamì brought the title of the prestigious Bonfiglio Trophy back to Italy after 13 years, since Gianluigi Quinzi succeeded. He decided to start his career in elite tennis this year after reaching the quarterfinals at the junior Roland Garros. The left-handed player, who grew up at the Rafa Nadal Academy, has been back “home” for about a year, at Nomentano in Rome, where he works with his coach when he was very young, Fabrizio Zeppieri. The first steps on the pro circuit were encouraging: he reached the quarterfinals at the Challenger 100 in Monza (for him only the second tournament played in this category) and subsequently the semi-finals at the Challenger 75 in Milan. It’s just a beginning, but at 18 years old on December 19, Vasamì has a long and exciting road to travel. His left-handedness makes him “sought after” and at Wimbledon he also sparred with Jannik Sinner before the match with Shelton, someone who hits hard with his left foot. A bit like him, who to learn how to do it also trained in Dubai with the home “Martello”, Matteo Berrettini.

Congratulations Jacopo, what’s it like to turn 18?

“Well, I haven’t noticed much difference since the 17s…”.

Nobody believes it. Like all eighteen year olds he can’t wait to get his driving licence…

“Ah yes, yes, I’m already studying and the timing is perfect, because at the moment I’m not traveling yet. Having a car means being freer, moving around more easily. And above all on a practical level, being an adult will avoid procedures and authorizations linked to being a minor. Everything is simpler for contracts and travel too. In general it’s a relief.”

“No, I’m a calm guy, I was in Tirrenia at the technical center with other players. Nothing excessive, there’s a season full of Challengers to prepare for.”

By the way, when does your season start again? A 2026 full of goals awaits you.

“I’ll start with hard courts, between February and the following months, playing in Europe. Then between March and April the long part of the Challengers on clay begins in Italy. It will be a very ‘Italian’ period with Naples, Monza, Modena, Rome, Sassuolo, Perugia… there are so many. It’s an advantage to have so many tournaments at home. This is also why the license is important: they are trips that you can often do by car. So my mother doesn’t have to continually accompany me to the airport at dawn or to the station in the evening.”

Holy mother Concetta: what is your relationship with her?

“Very good. She’s not strict in the classic sense: she’s always made me live outside of tennis, like a normal boy. I went through a normal school career and graduated. Now, growing up, she’s more involved: not only as a parent, but also in the organization. She manages many things: travel, contracts, the financial part. I have to concentrate on the court. Organizing flights, hotels, payments and managing the team is a real job: I couldn’t do it, and my manager Ugo Colombini can’t cover everything alone.”

“We are close, very close in age: my brother is a year older and my sister a year younger. They live normal lives: my brother is at university, my sister at high school. They follow me, but without my career influencing their lives: when they can they watch the matches, otherwise they don’t.”

Speaking of reference figures: how do you experience the relationship with your coach?

“I’m self-critical and I always try to understand what doesn’t work. It’s clear that it’s not pleasant to be told what you’re doing badly, but the coach isn’t just that: he must also enhance you, remind you of your strong points, give you confidence and make you doubt less. The ‘uncomfortable’ part is working on the gaps. In the match, maybe you lose and attribute the defeat to a reason, but it’s not that: you have to listen to analyzes that don’t make you happy. It also happens off the pitch: in the gym maybe you’d like to do a job that rewards you, and instead they ask you what you really need, like resistance. Or about nutrition: you think you’re doing well and you’re told you have to improve.

Let’s move on to life off the field. His girlfriend, Jana, is Paula Badosa’s sister. How did you meet?

“She’s not a tennis player but we met in Rome, at the Internationals. It was around her birthday: Paola had taken her to the Forum as a gift. I was there and we met, completely by chance. She lives in Spain, ours is a long-distance relationship, but that’s fine. We talk and see each other when it’s possible. But I took her to the Olimpico to see the derby. I support Roma.”

Outside of tennis, how do you spend your free time?

“I like sport in general: five-a-side football and padel when I can. But today I have much less free time than a year ago, maybe a third, and I’m often not even at home. When I can, I prefer to be with my friends. Or at home: a film, a bit of phone call with my girlfriend. These are simple things, also because I’m often tired.”

In terms of relationships in the circuit: who are you closest to?

“With Italians in general. The more established guys often try to lend a hand to the youngsters: they take you ‘under their wing’ and give you advice. I’m sociable and then, being left-handed, I often come in handy in training: left-handed people are rare.”

Speaking of Italy, is the Davis Cup a goal in the future?

“Yes, but in Italy to play the Davis Cup usually means being among the top 50 in the world. It is a goal that indicates that you have reached a very high level. The first objective is to play the Slams as soon as possible. I don’t give myself a precise deadline: if I already manage in Paris well, if I manage in New York well, otherwise I aim for the Australian Open in 2027. To enter the Slams you more or less need to be around 230-240. I’m around 650, so I have to play a lot Challenger and lots of matches. I would also like to qualify for the Next Gen next year: it would be very nice.”

Tennis is also a solitary sport. How do you experience loneliness?

“Good. I like being alone. I have few friends, but very good ones.”

This article is taken from Smash, the G+ newsletter edited by Federica Cocchi, published every Tuesday. To subscribe and for information on other Gazzetta newsletters click here