The summer of 2025 marked an extraordinary chapter for the 12 scholarship holders of the Little Tennis Champions program — young talents from Italy, Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro!
After an intensive week in Turin with top coaches Tartarini, Arbino, and Massari, the scholars started an international tour across France, Switzerland, Spain, and Albania, accompanied by a world-class technical staff and team manager Simone Bongiovanni, co-founder of I Tennis Foundation and mental coach.
Adding even more value to this journey was the constant presence of Omar Camporese, former ATP No.18 and Italian tennis legend, who shared his insights, experiences, and invaluable advice from his years on the professional circuit.
Among the most meaningful stages was the week spent at the Emilio Sánchez Academy in Barcelona — a top level training center where the scholars could train and compete in a stimulating and highly professional environment.
Emilio Sánchez himself, a long-time supporter of I Tennis Foundation, welcomed and encouraged the group throughout their stay.
Throughout the summer, the young athletes showed impressive growth across all four pillars of modern tennis: technical, tactical, physical, and mental.
A journey that goes well beyond results — yet finds its confirmation precisely in those results.
To crown this progress, four memorable results came in the latest tournaments held in Lugano, Basel, and Tirana:
- Demetra Mazzarella won the Girls’ Singles title at the Tennis Europe U14 tournament in Agno.
- Paolo Toscano reached the Doubles Final at the TE U14 in Basel, playing on the court dedicated to Roger Federer.
- Davide Dagnino captured the Doubles title in Tirana, defeating teammates Croceru–Dano in a hard-fought, high-level final.
- Petar Stankovic reached the Singles Final in Tirana, showcasing remarkable mental strength and control under pressure.
The next exciting steps are already on the horizon:
- Special training sessions in Sardinia at the Forte Village Resort, focused on athletic preparation led by Damiano Fiorucci, trainer of Lorenzo Musetti.
- A new session in Turin during the Nitto ATP Finals week, where the scholars will train under Gipo Arbino and Ivan Ljubicic, former ATP No.3 and coach of Roger Federer.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Yokohama Tyres, and to all our partners, sponsors, and supporters who believe in this project and make this incredible journey possible.
Thank you for continuing to invest in the future of tennis and the talent of young players!
I Tennis Foundation – Where talent meets opportunity.
