At 18 Nardi enters the top 200 and sees Roland Garros

Luca Nardi says he is not in a hurry, even though his most recent results tell a different story. Born in 2003, one of the most promising Next Gens on the Italian tennis scene, he won his second Challenger title in Lugano on two finals played in his career and in the season, confirming himself as the third best Under 20 Atp, behind Alcaraz and Rune. But that is not all. After the success in Switzerland, he reached the semifinals in Barletta and the quarterfinals in Split, seeing himself catapulted into the top 200 positions in the world rankings. And to think that only three months ago he confessed to us his great Grand Slam dream, while now he has already earned the opportunity to live it with open eyes, at Roland Garros, where with the best ranking he will be able to start in the qualifying draw.

Two finals won out of two at Challenger level and now also Top 200. You have a great desire to grow but also a lot of haste it would seem …

“I would not speak in a hurry, I take my time, even if I am very happy with the results. They were two beautiful Challengers, even if different “.

You had been coming for complicated weeks after the first Challenger success in Forlì, what happened instead in Lugano and in the following weeks?

“After Forlì, the positivity at Covid kept me out for a long time, then I trained for two months and returned. The first tournaments between Turin and France did not go well but as soon as I arrived in Switzerland I had positive feelings right from the first training session. I don’t know what particular shot, it was unexpected but beautiful. It’s those weeks that when they happen, they make you turn around “.

How did you celebrate the recent results?

“I didn’t celebrate my entry into the Top 200, I was still competing in the Split tournament but after the final in Lugano I indulged in some Swiss chocolate and when I returned home I celebrated with my family and the my girlfriend”.

As you gather results it is natural for your goals to shift. Which direction are we going now?

“I haven’t discussed it with my coach yet, even though at the beginning of the year we set out to make it to the Top 150. Now I’m in the top 200 so it seems like a feasible goal.”

A few weeks ago Cobolli won his first Challenger and was called up to Davis. You two are a sign that the Italian tennis nursery is growing well …

“Flavio is collecting excellent results, I wish him to be called up again in Davis and to enter the Top 100 soon. Now he is higher than me in the standings and I hope to be able to grow slowly too”.

Maybe a call-up to the national team will also come for you …

“Yes, as a bottle cage! (laughs, ed). Seriously, it depends on the results but I hope so. Would be a dream!”.

Many results also mean more responsibility and consequently expectations. What is your relationship with pressure?

“In general I am a very calm and serene guy, even if I have to admit that there is a bit of pressure. The wish is to always be able to manage everything in the best possible way and not to get too caught up in anxiety or what people say. If you know what you have to do then the results speak for themselves ”.

In your opinion, what distinguishes this new generation of Italian tennis players so launched in the major circuit?

“Collaborating more with the Federation has helped to lend a hand to us guys. Both Flavio and I often visit the center of Tirrenia where we can take advantage of professional services and which obviously help to obtain good results “.

You confirmed yourself as the third born in 2003 in the standings after Rune and Alcaraz, who just won his third tournament of the year in Barcelona. What do you think you have to work on for the definitive qualitative leap?

“To get to certain levels you have to be perfect. There is a need to work on everything and I believe I have a lot of margins on all the areas that concern a player: from the shots, to the physical aspect to the mental one ”.

A few months ago you dreamed of participating in a Grand Slam. With this ranking you are in the Roland-Garros qualifiers …

“Playing the first qualifiers as a professional in Paris will be a very strong emotion. I will try to enjoy it to the fullest, I will give everything. My favorite Grand Slam is Wimbledon and I hope to be able to play it this year ”.

Thanks to the results of the last few weeks you are also number 9 in the “Race to Milan”, ahead of Cobolli. Are Next Gens a goal for you?

“I always try to take everything on a daily basis, in general I don’t set myself big goals. If I qualify for the Next Gen, so be it. Otherwise, patience! ”.

Upcoming appointments on the calendar?

“Soon I will be in Rome to play the Challenger tournament to be held the week before the Internazionali d’Italia”.

Maybe you will stay in the capital longer than expected …

“I hope so. I will play the pre-qualifying tournament of the Internazionali. I hope to access the qualification draw or even enter the main one ”.