Darder, on Alcaraz: "I met him at 15 years old and he has not changed as a person, he is a spectacular guy"

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There is just over a year's difference in age between Luciano Darderi and Carlos Alcaraz, which has allowed them to share experiences during their formative years. Before their clash in the third round of the US Open 2025, the Italian recalls an episode in his relationship with the Spaniard and explains what he expects from this match.

Winning three ATP titles in a single season is no easy feat, yet that is what Luciano Darderi has achieved this year. At 23 years old, this Italian of Argentine origin is showing a remarkable upward trend, having been crowned champion in Marrakech, Bastad, and Umag, entering the US Open 2025 as a top seed. For the second consecutive Grand Slam, he finds himself in the third round, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz – someone with whom he shares a unique history, detailed on atptour.com.

"I've known Carlos since he was 14. The last time we played was in the semifinals of a team competition tournament in France, and I lost to him 7-5 in the third set of our match. Even back then, it was spectacular how he played. He had just started training with Ferrero, and he told me about it excitedly. A week later, he beat Gaio, who was ranked 120th in the world, and at 16, his level was already incredible," Darderi explains.

- Darderi recalls being amazed by Alcaraz's tennis even when they were teenagers

The relationship between the two is close, and Luciano appreciates the message Carlos sent him when he became champion last year in Córdoba, securing his first professional title. "It was very special that he remembered me at such an important moment in my life. He didn't have to do it, having achieved so much. We had drifted apart because we were playing different tournaments, but he truly is a remarkable guy. He hasn't changed as a person, despite his many successes," the Italian explains.

"I deserve to be where I am now; I've worked hard my whole life to experience moments like this. Being a top seed in a Grand Slam is an incredible feeling, and the pressure is felt. I believe I can perform well on hard courts now that I have so much confidence. Against Carlos, I will give my best. I have nothing to lose, so I will step onto the court ready to give it my all and make things tough for him. The pressure is on him," stated a Luciano Darderi who dreams of causing a major upset in the US Open 2025 by defeating Carlos Alcaraz.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Darderi, sobre Alcaraz: "Le conocí con 15 años y no ha cambiado como persona, es un tipo espectacular"