The 18-year-old left-hander brought the Bonfiglio trophy back to Italy after 13 years and is aiming high: “I need to play a lot of Challengers to climb the rankings, and now I’m finally getting my driver’s license so I can get around on my own. My girlfriend? She’s Paula Badosa’s sister.”

Jacopo Vasamì brought the prestigious Bonfiglio Trophy title back to Italy after 13 years, since Gianluigi Quinzi last achieved it. He decided to start his career in big-time tennis this year after reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros Junior. The left-hander, who grew up at the Rafa Nadal Academy, returned “home” about a year ago to Nomentano in Rome, where he works with his coach from when he was very young, Fabrizio Zeppieri. His first steps on the pro circuit have been encouraging: he reached the quarterfinals at the Challenger 100 in Monza (only his second tournament in this category) and then the semifinals at the Challenger 75 in Milan. It’s only the beginning, but at 18 years old on December 19, Vasamì has a long and exciting road ahead of him. Being left-handed makes him “sought after,” and at Wimbledon he even sparred with Jannik Sinner before his match with Shelton, who hits hard with his left. A bit like him, who, in order to learn how to do it, also trained in Dubai with the local “Hammer,” Matteo Berrettini.

Happy birthday Jacopo, how does it feel to turn 18?

“Well, I haven’t noticed much difference from 17…”

No one believes him. Like all 18-year-olds, he can’t wait to get his driver’s license…

“Oh yes, that’s right, I’m already studying and the timing is perfect because I’m not traveling at the moment. Having a car means being freer, getting around more easily. And above all, on a practical level, being of age will save me from procedures and authorizations related to being a minor. It also makes everything easier when it comes to contracts and travel. In general, it’s a relief.”

Did you have a party?

“No, I’m a quiet guy, I was in Tirrenia at the technical center with other players. Nothing excessive, there’s a season full of Challengers to prepare for.”

By the way, when does your season start again? A 2026 full of goals to achieve awaits you.

“I’ll start on hard courts, between February and the following months, playing in Europe. Then, between March and April, the long part of the Challenger clay season in Italy begins. It will be a very ‘Italian’ period with Naples, Monza, Modena, Rome, Sassuolo, Perugia… there are so many. It’s an advantage to have so many tournaments at home. That’s another reason why a driver’s license is important: you can often make these trips by car. That way, my mother doesn’t have to drive me to the airport at dawn or to the station in the evening all the time.“

Saintly mother Concetta: what is your relationship with her like?

”Very good. She’s not strict in the classic sense: she always let me live outside of tennis, like a normal kid. I went to a normal school and graduated. Now that I’m older, she’s more involved: not just as a parent, but also in the organization. She manages a lot of things: travel, contracts, finances. I have to focus on the court. Organizing flights, hotels, payments, and managing the team is a real job: I couldn’t do it, and my manager Ugo Colombini can’t cover everything on his own.”

What about your siblings?

“We’re close-knit, very close in age: my brother is a year older and my sister is a year younger. They lead normal lives: my brother is at university and my sister is in high school. They follow me, but my career doesn’t affect their lives: they watch the games when they can, otherwise they don’t.”

Speaking of role models: how is your relationship with your coach?

“I’m self-critical and always try to understand what’s not working. Obviously, it’s not nice to be told what you’re doing wrong, but that’s not all a coach does: they also have to encourage you, remind you of your strengths, give you confidence, and help you doubt yourself less. The ‘uncomfortable’ part is working on your weaknesses. In a game, you might lose and attribute the defeat to one reason, but that’s not it: you have to listen to analyses that you don’t like. It also happens off the field: in the gym, you might want to do work that gratifies you, but instead they ask you to do what’s really needed, such as endurance training. Or with nutrition: you think you’re doing well, and you’re told you need to improve. It’s part of their role.”

Let’s move on to life off the court. Your girlfriend, Jana, is Paula Badosa’s sister. How did you meet?

“She’s not a tennis player, but we met in Rome at the Internazionali. It was around her birthday, and Paola had taken her to the Foro Italico as a gift. I was there, and we met completely by chance. She lives in Spain, so we have a long-distance relationship, but that’s okay. We talk and see each other when we can. But I took her to the Olimpico to see the derby. I support Roma.“

Outside of tennis, how do you spend your free time?

”I like sports in general: soccer and padel when I can. But today I have much less free time than a year ago, maybe a third, and I’m often not even at home. When I can, I prefer to be with my friends. Or at home: a movie, a chat on the phone with my girlfriend. Simple things, also because I’m often tired.“

In terms of relationships on the circuit: who are you closest to?

”The Italians in general. The more established players often try to help the younger ones: they take you ‘under their wing’ and give you advice. I’m sociable and then, being left-handed, I’m often useful in training: left-handers are rare.“

Speaking of Italy, is the Davis Cup a goal for the future?

”Yes, but in Italy, to play in the Davis Cup, you usually have to be in the top 50 in the world. It’s a milestone that indicates you’ve reached a very high level. The first goal is to play the Slams as soon as possible. I don’t give myself a specific deadline: if I can make it to Paris, great; if I can make it to New York, great; otherwise, I’ll aim for the Australian Open in 2027. To get into the Slams, you need to be around 230-240. I’m around 650, so I have to play a lot of Challengers and a lot of matches. I’d also like to qualify for Next Gen next year: that would be really nice.“

Tennis is also a solitary sport. How do you cope with loneliness?

”Fine. I like being alone. I have few friends, but they’re very good ones.”