By Scoop Malinowski
Guess who I ran into at Whole Foods supermarket at lunch time today at the salad bar? None other than Paolo Lorenzi, the former ATP no. 33 who retired a couple of years ago. His last match was at 2021 US Open qualies, a loss in 2R to Maxime Janvier.
The Italian Stallion baseliner, who won a singles title in Kitzbuhel, Austria and I had done a Biofile about five years ago at Sarasota Open so we know each other.
We chatted for a few minutes today and he said he’s back and forth between Sarasota and Italy. I asked if he still plays a lot of tennis after retirement and he said he does hit with WTA player Maria Bouzkova and Denis Shapovalov when he’s in town. Also he gives some private lessons.
When I asked about his thoughts on Italian tennis, the 41 year old said, “Sinner will be no. 1” with a tone of absolute certainty. He said he has everything, “He hits hard, he moves well, he’s focused on tennis, the ball comes off his racquet different than other players.”
Lorenzi has hit with Sinner, but the two never played an ATP match. “It’s like he has a different racquet from me. In New York I was practicing with him every day (2020). After practicing with him, everyone else was hitting too slow,” Lorenzi noted. “The ball comes fast. He takes the ball earlier and he has such good technique that the ball is coming quicker from his racquet. I think a lot is his technique is perfect on court. He starts from the legs and then the body. Sometimes I watch his match and stand behind him. It’s like he knows where the ball is going and takes it earlier than everyone else.”
Now coached by Australian Darren Cahill, Sinner played in Marseille this week but had to default out of the tournament before his first match vs French teen Arthur Fils, who reached the semis where he lost 64 64 to Benjamin Bonzi.
The 21 year old Sinner is currently ranked 12 in the world and has a 12-3 record on the year with one title in Montpellier (he has seven total). Sinner’s best ranking was no. 9 in November 2021.
He just lost in the finals of Rotterdam in three sets to Medvedev. At AO he lost in five sets in R16 to world no. 4 Tsitsipas.
Lorenzi turned pro in 2003 and had a career ATP record of 110-185.
Italy · Jannik Sinner · Paolo Lorenzi
Cory · February 28, 2023 at 9:23 am
So awesome to run into an ATP journeyman at the Whole Foods salad bar (great place but man, they use canola oil in everything!). Was a big fan of Lorenzi, i used to follow his matches after first seeing him square off against Monfils in a challenger/250 event (IDK, circa 2015?) just before he rose with that top 50 run. I was always amazed with his heart and love for the game. He never gave in, every point 100% hustle and did it without serious weaponry. He became one of my favorites – a joy to watch.
Speaking of players rising from the Challengers… when are we going to see Akiri Santillan rise up to his talent level? The guy has top 50 stuff but can’t make his way even into the top 200 for years now. Bad attitude for sure and a temper – but surely his talent alone should get him somewhere. Thoughts?
Scoop Malinowski · February 28, 2023 at 9:34 am
Second pro I ran into at Sarasota WF, Christian Harrison also last March. Lorenzi had a great career, one title, big overachiever, ultimate grinder, lasted almost two decades. Played all the legends, played everyone. Not bad at all. I did a Biofile with Santillan in Newport a few years ago, looked good, maybe he doesn’t have the head yet for it, or injuries. Mark Woodforde coached him for a short time at Sarasota Open one year. He’s still stuck low in the rankings, but the talent is there to explode at any time. Like how Max Purcell did last year. And Jason Kubler this year.
Scoop Malinowski · February 28, 2023 at 10:54 am
Cory, Lorenzi won an ATP title in Austria, so that qualifies him to be called an “ATP Champion” not an “ATP journeyman.” )