2' min
The 2025 tennis season officially kicked off with the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated season. All eyes are on Melbourne, where excitement is running high, especially for Italian tennis, which is experiencing an unprecedented golden era. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner returns to defend his crown after last year’s memorable triumph over Daniil Medvedev in the final. His victory was a turning point for Italian tennis, igniting widespread enthusiasm across the country and heralding a new era with Sinner as the movement’s centerpiece.
The “Happy Slam” began with its usual mix of emotions but was not without challenges. Rain delays disrupted the schedule, pushing some matches to January 7, including those featuring Sara Errani and Mattia Bellucci. Despite the delays, Italian players achieved notable results.
In the men’s draw, Andrea Arnaboldi was eliminated after a decisive 6-2, 6-4 loss to Taiwanese player Tseng. A more competitive match was the all-Italian clash between Giulio Zeppieri and Francesco Passaro, with Passaro advancing after a 6-3, 7-6 win. There was disappointment for Gianluca Mager, who fell to the talented American Brandon Holt, but promising signs from Matteo Gigante, who defeated Danish player Hardt in straight sets. Mattia Bellucci also impressed, securing a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Serbia’s Marinkov.
In the women’s draw, results were mixed. Lucrezia Stefanini was defeated in three sets by Spain’s Romero Gomez, while Pedone lost in straight sets to Romania’s Bulgaru. However, Sara Errani showcased resilience and determination, coming back from a 6-2 first-set loss to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-3, securing her place in the second round.
Despite some early setbacks, Italian tennis embarks on the new season with the awareness that every match is a new chance to make history.
