Riccardo and Daniele sitting among the giants: "Well done to have believed in it"

They laughingly said, “We never imagined finding ourselves sitting next to world no. 1 pair Galan and Lebron, but they probably never thought they would be here with two Italians either”. Daniele Cattaneo (Denny) cracked the clever joke during the media day at the Italy Major Premier Padel event, as he prepares to debut at the Foro Italico together with partner Riccardo Sinicropi. In March in Doha they were the first Italian pair ever to reach the main draw in a Major of the Premier Padel circuit event, whereas in Rome they accessed the main draw thanks to a wild card.

“It is a great honour - says Cattaneo, class of ‘89, from Vimercate (Milan) - to be here invited by the FIT, among the champions. Playing on the Grandstand Arena will be very exciting, we hope to be able to give our best and enjoy this incredible experience. Being able to play at the Foro Italico in the past, when it hosted Italy’s Open event and a FIP tournament during the tennis Masters Internazionali BNL d'Italia was amazing enough, but coming back here for an event like this is much more fascinating. Right from the start I've enjoyed playing and putting in the effort day in day out to compete at this level. I've believed in this sport very much and I am happy about the success it is having in our country”.

This last step has not been a piece of cake. If today Padel is on everyone's lips, when Cattaneo began to take it seriously it was different altogether. I have to be thankful for my family home in Mojacar, in Adalusia, and also for having a certain vision. “I was one of the first to believe it could become more than just a pastime. Six years ago I went to Spain for the first time to train for a couple of months with a high-level coach. It all started from there. I feel lucky for what I have achieved so far. I'm ticking all those boxes that I could not tick while chasing the tennis dream in vain for years".

Once upon a time he used to pack a different type of racquet in his bag as an aspiring pro in Genoa where he moved from the Czech Republic (his mother's home), giving up basketball for tennis; then as coach, with even a six-month stint in Guangzhou, China, with former “pro” Manolo Jorquera. But nothing won him over like the sport of Padel, which has made him one of the best-known names in Italy, having earned him two Italian titles, European gold with the national team, and the no. 5 spot in the ranking in Doha last November.

Thirty-one year-old Sinicropi was truly serious about tennis, reaching no. 430 in the ATP singles ranking and winning three Futures titles. However, he never succeeded in joining the giants’ circle in tennis. “Playing with the likes of Federer or Nadal - he says - would have been a dream come true, playing alongside Galan and Lebron today is just as incredible a feeling. What I am going through has yet to sink in, also because I only started 4 years ago, and have been training seriously for no more than three".

His natural gift has helped him progress quickly, giving him the opportunity to experience what is currently many Italians’ dream: to play in a Padel cage from morning to night. “But without improving on a daily basis there is no success - he adds. It is why I have almost given up offering private lessons in order to dedicate myself 100% to my own career. When you choose this type of activity, as is the case for us, everything has to revolve around it, otherwise it is impossible to keep up with the level. This season we want to play as much as possible on the international circuit, so training to the maximum is a must. Luckily, the growth of Padel is opening up the opportunity also in Italy to make a career out of playing professionally".

Cattaneo and Sinicropi have been playing together since the beginning of 2022, after the latter interrupted the - fruitful - partnership with Lorenzo Di Giovanni, ending his current partner's long term quest for a steady partner. “Fortunately - Cattaneo goes on - I adapt quite well to either side of the cage, playing without major problems both on the right and on the left, depending on the partner. This year, thanks to Riccardo, I had the opportunity to return to playing on the left the entire time, where I feel more at ease. We started the season on the right foot and we hope to be able to do even better, also thanks to events like this one".

"Denny - Riccardo continues - took a chance many years ago, believing in this sport before others did, and it is also thanks to those who, like him, threw themselves into the Padel cage early on that all of us who arrived later found a solid base to stand on. Now I am trying to give my best every day to take advantage of any sporting opportunity there is left. Also because, after an initial career in tennis and a second one in Padel, it will be tough to make a third one up for later. Unless it’s to play burraco". He is no less clever than his partner on the joke front.