Luca Nardi: The Twenty Years Old Italian that Challenges Novak Djokovic
Luca Nardi’s journey from admiring Novak Djokovic on a poster in his bedroom to facing him at the Indian Wells tournament is a testament to his passion and determination in tennis. As a young Italian, Nardi has idolized Djokovic since he was eight years old, with the Serbian star’s image gracing his bedroom door. Now,…
Luca Nardi’s journey from admiring Novak Djokovic on a poster in his bedroom to facing him at the Indian Wells tournament is a testament to his passion and determination in tennis.
As a young Italian, Nardi has idolized Djokovic since he was eight years old, with the Serbian star’s image gracing his bedroom door. Now, at the age of 20, he is set to compete against his childhood hero for the first time in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Nardi expresses his excitement, calling it one of the best experiences he could imagine, especially as a young player. Having watched countless matches of Djokovic over the years, including memorable victories like the 2019 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, Nardi is well aware of the challenge ahead.
Despite being very close to not making it into the main draw at Indian Wells, Nardi’s determination paid off. After losing in the final round of qualifying, he was third on the lucky loser list and eventually secured a spot in the draw, even receiving a bye into the second round due to a withdrawal.
Reflecting on his journey, Nardi acknowledges his humble beginnings at a local tennis club in Italy, where he initially struggled with shyness on the court. Now, playing in front of large crowds against the world’s best, he sees how far he’s come and appreciates the opportunity.
Nardi’s love for tennis was sparked by his older brother’s involvement in the sport, despite his parents and other siblings not being tennis players themselves. Ranked just outside the Top 100, Nardi hopes to entertain the fans with his aggressive playing style while staying true to himself off the court.
Having previously faced a Top 10 opponent in Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nardi understands the level of focus and intensity required to compete at that level. As he prepares to take on Djokovic, he knows he must bring his best game and remain focused on every point.
For Nardi, Monday’s match against Djokovic represents more than just a tennis match—it’s the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and an opportunity to test himself against the very best in the world.
