The international development journey of the young athletes supported by I Tennis Foundation’s Little Tennis Champions 2026-27 scholarship program continues with new valuable experiences and encouraging results across Europe.
In recent weeks, scholarship players Nadja Knezevic, Alexia Enache and Carolina Pacini competed in two prestigious ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J60 events held in Pescara, Italy, and Poreč, Croatia.
Once again, the three young players had the opportunity to test themselves against some of the strongest junior tennis players in the world, often facing opponents older and more experienced than they are. These tournaments represent an essential step in their sporting and personal development, offering a high-level environment where every match becomes a learning opportunity.
Beyond the results, these international events allow players to experience all the challenges that come with competitive tennis: travelling abroad, adapting to new environments, managing training sessions and match preparation, competing under pressure and learning how to handle both victories and setbacks.
Among the highlights of these two tournaments were the doubles semifinals reached by Alexia Enache in Pescara and Nadja Knezevic in Poreč. Valuable achievements that brought important ranking points, but above all greater confidence, experience and awareness as they continue their growth journey together with the coaches of I Tennis Foundation.
Excellent news also arrived from the boys’ side of the program. Scholarship player Arber Dano produced a remarkable performance by reaching the Under 16 doubles final at the Tennis Europe event “Podgorica Universal Open 2026”. A fantastic result that rewards his commitment, determination and hard work, confirming the progress he is making on the international stage.
These performances are another important milestone within a broader mission: providing talented young athletes with access to high-level international competition, helping them accelerate their development both on and off the court through opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
The next stop for the I Tennis Foundation team will be an ITF event in Cyprus, before all scholarship players come together again in Turin during the Nitto ATP Finals in November, one of the most exciting moments of the season.
Technical Staff: International Excellence Supporting Young Talents
The Little Tennis Champions 2026-27 program relies on the expertise of a world-class coaching and performance team, committed every day to helping young athletes maximize their potential.
The team includes Gipo Arbino, technical director and one of the most respected figures in Italian tennis; Simone Tartarini, longtime coach of Lorenzo Musetti; Omar Camporese, former World No. 18 and Davis Cup player; Alessandro Petrone, former coach of Matteo Arnaldi; Damiano Fiorucci, strength and conditioning coach for Musetti; Stefano Massari, mental coach who has worked with Matteo Berrettini; Simone Bongiovanni, team manager and coach; alongside national coaches Alfredo Santacroce and Riccardo Sosso.
Thanks to the daily work of this multidisciplinary team, I Tennis Foundation scholarship players benefit from a comprehensive development pathway that combines technical, physical and mental preparation while promoting the educational and personal values that sport can teach.
I Tennis Foundation continues to invest in talent, education and opportunity, helping the next generation of players pursue their dreams with the support of an elite international team.
