Luciano Darderi has been working hard during the off-season after enjoying a breakout campaign on the ATP Tour.
The Italian star won three Tour titles this year in Marrakech, Bastad and Umag and climbed to world number 26.
Darderi, 23, is the latest Italian star to emerge as a future contender for major titles, following on from Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
Speaking of Sinner, Darderi recently practised with the world number two at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Darderi has since revealed what it is like to train with the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Luciano Darderi says Jannik Sinner is like a ‘martian’
“I also train with Jannik Sinner,” Darderi said in a column for La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He’s a guy of few words and a lot of substance. Just practice and hard work. The last time was during Roland Garros. Compared to the level of matches in India, it’s a whole different story.
“The weight of the ball and the consistency in the serve make the difference. I felt like I was on a spaceship that left Earth and landed on Mars.
“Yes, Jannik is a Martian.”
During the off-season, Sinner has also practised with a former Wimbledon finalist and a player who won his first ATP Tour title this year.
Sinner will head into 2026 aiming to win a third successive Australian Open title. Aside from Novak Djokovic, no other player since Roy Emerson in 1967 has won three consecutive titles.
Sinner will have extra motivation heading into the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz has the opportunity to complete the ‘Career Grand Slam’ in Melbourne. However, if Sinner can prevent Alcaraz doing so, he could achieve the feat ahead of Alcaraz – at the 2026 French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz WILL complete the Career Grand Slam before Jannik Sinner – discuss…
Could Jannik Sinner break Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open record?
It may seem a ludicrous question to pose. However, Sinner’s form in Melbourne over the past two years has been so remarkable that the question warrants being asked.
The Italian appears to be at home in Melbourne, and few would bet against him adding a third Australian Open title to his collection in 2026.
Sinner, at 23 years of age, has at least a decade left in the sport – plenty of time to chase down Djokovic’s total of 10 Australian Open titles.
However, usurping Djokovic’s total will take some doing, and Djokovic could add to his total at the 2026 tournament.
