The youngster beat former Top 60 Tatsuma Ito in an Italian clay court ATP Challenger event
16-year-old wildcard Manas Dhamne has captured his first ATP Challenger level victory at the ATP 75 Internazionali di Tennis Francavilla al Mare in Italy on clay. Dhamne’s remarkable feat saw him triumph over former ATP Top 60 player Tatsuma Ito from Japan with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 win in the first qualifying round.
What makes Dhamne’s achievement even more remarkable is the fact that he wasn’t even born when Ito secured his first ATP point, currently ranked 765th in the ATP standings.
Hailing from the prestigious Piatti Tennis Academy and under the management of IMG, Dhamne is guided by the renowned Riccardo Piatti, well known for coaching players such as Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova, Ivan Ljubicic and Jannik Sinner among others. Dhamne is in excellent hands as he navigates the competitive landscape of professional tennis.
From left – IMG agent Olivier van Lindonk, coach Riccardo Piatti, and Dhamne
Currently ranked 1344 in the ATP Rankings, Dhamne’s victory marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. In the final qualifying round, Dhamne is set to face another formidable opponent in the form of Alessandro Giannessi from Italy. The left-handed Giannessi, a former top 100 player with a career high ranking of 84, presents a formidable challenge for the young talent.
Nevertheless, armed with his recent success and the guidance of his experienced coaches, Dhamne approaches this next match with confidence and determination. Facing off against seasoned opponents like Giannessi provides valuable learning opportunities for Dhamne to further refine his skills and elevate his game to new heights.