That’s how laconic, serious, he answers Luciano Darderi. This Wednesday was his 22nd birthday and it comes at a very special moment: last week he won his first ATP title in the Cordoba Openand on Tuesday he achieved an unprecedented victory in the Argentina Open. Ten days of dreaming to appease some unhappy reactions from outside the courts.
“Luli”, son of the sea who was born in Villa Gesell On Valentine’s Day 2002, he lifted the trophy at “La Docta” after bypassing the qualy and losing only two sets in his seven matches. The duel before Sebastian Baezin the semis, had a spicy climate, in part, due to a peculiarity: its Italian naturalization.
We have to do a flashback in Darderi’s life. Papa Gino was a budding tennis player who, those who saw him say, stood out for his quality, but he never competed professionally. Of Italian origins, he played interclubs in that country and then dedicated himself to preparing other athletes.
Later in time, his son Luciano began playing tennis, but opportunities and support were scarce, so at the age of 14, after studying the case, he decided to represent the country of his ancestors, something very common in sport. “I am an Argentine who plays for Italy, I don’t see the problem”says the brand new champion of Córdoba to Ambit at an impasse in the BALTC. She is overjoyed, but the topic still hovers around her.
The current 76th in the world (he rose 60 places as a result of his debut as champion) was the victim of insults and rebukes from several fans who went to Mario Kempes more to attack him than to enjoy tennis. “Argentano”, one of the words chosen to disqualify him. “I believe that it is each person’s career and everyone focuses on their own thing, then if one likes it or doesn’t like it, that is not a problem”he argues with great calm.
Social networks were a virtual meeting point for many brave monitors. However, the eldest of the Darderi (his brother Vito, 16, is also a promising young man) tries to turn a deaf ear and move forward with his career because “You have to get out of that environment that is a bit complicated, people sometimes don’t understand why you play there, why you don’t, and they are very delicate things”.
Back on the happiness train, “Luli”’s life changed radically. From the joy of passing qualifying to raising the cup and rescheduling her entire career. Until a few days ago, her plan was to play Challengers in the region. “Now I’m going to see if I play one in Santiago and from there I’ll prepare for Miami, Monte Carlo, Marrakech and some other ATP”plan.
The L’Equipe club, located on Paseo 100, between Buenos Aires and Circunvalación avenues, at the entrance to Villa Gesell, was little Darderi’s “study home.” “I learned to play tennis in the middle of the forest, the sand, the dunes, and the truth is that there was never a player besides my dad and my little brother”, he says proudly. He has not yet returned to his payments, although he imagines that the reception will be big: “I know a lot of people there.”
Darderi’s sporting and personal life takes place between the Buenos Aires resort, Florence and the eternal tournament tours. “Throughout the summer I am in Europe, like most of the players. The tennis player himself does not have a place where he lives. Because he is in a different place every week, except when there is a preseason, which I do in Argentina, because it is summer and I like to be in Gesell training for a bit,” he breaks down. His father Gino is his coach, and in the halls of the eternal Palermo club she shows his joy and enthusiasm.
Darderi Jr. had a prolific career as a junior and at the age of 16 he played in the final of the Davis Cup for minors alongside several of the Italian tennis players who today share the circuit with him. He was even a rival of Carlos Alcaraz, the main attraction of the Argentina Open 2024 and champion of the previous edition. The Buenos Aires native assures that with the recent title in the country, “opportunities will appear, without a doubt, but I have not yet spoken to either federation.”
“Let’s see how we plan everything from here on out,” he muses, although he affirms that the first feeling he has after his baptismal victory is “confidence.” “It gives me confidence in myself, that I can, also opening doors to many opportunities such as money for a better career, that being behind 100 is not the same as being within 100, like being able to travel better, with the coach, the physio and everything you need to do the race better”analyzes the new member of the World Top 100.
Between the qualification and the main draw in Córdoba, plus the superb and powerful 6-2 and 6-1 victory over Mariano Navone In the Buenos Aires competition, Darderi has accumulated eight wins, one more addition to his moment of happiness. “The title, celebrating my birthday with my people, this ATP, the truth is that it makes me very happy. “They are the fruits of our work last year,” he says with his chest puffed out.
Q: Were you able to celebrate the championship?
LD: There was celebration after the tournament that same night after the final, we slept late. Here we are going to celebrate with my whole family. I am happy to celebrate my birthday in Argentina, with my people. Between the Córdoba tournament and the ATP here, coming with eight wins in a row, I am very happy
Q: When you celebrate your birthday, what are you going to wish for?
LD: I believe that in tennis you create your desires, you make them every day. I have been building all this for years. It’s not that I woke up one day and boom, I started playing well in Córdoba. I’ve been playing well for a long time. Tennis is important, but the desire is to be healthy, for my family to be well, like a normal person.
By now, Luciano Darderi and his closest friends will have already celebrated “Luli’s” birthday. Roast, especially achuras, was the desire after Córdoba Open. Surely his wish has already been fulfilled. He deserves it.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
