Cappelletti: Beach tennis is not just my job, it's my passion
American businessman Steve Jobs once said that the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
World No. 1 beach tennis player Michele Cappelletti is living proof that mixing work and pleasure can reap rewards.
Having started on the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour at the age of 17, Cappelletti is now an elder statesman of the sport at the not-so-grand age of 30.
And the Italian has been at the very top of his game throughout most of the last decade having first ascended to the world No. 1 ranking back in 2015.
“If you are the No. 1 there is a reason,” Cappelletti said after reaching the semi-finals at the 2022 World Championships as top seed alongside partner Antomi Ramos. “It’s the second year that me and Antomi played together, and we spent most of the two years as No. 1 seed, so we are used to it.
“Of course it’s a pressure, but we know we always need to try to play at our best. We know at these events our opponents will play at 120% without any pressure.”
Cappelletti has won the joint-most World Championship titles along with his former partner Alessandro Calbucci and with his current partner he has created a formidable pairing once again.
They have won four of the last five events they have contested and have already picked up seven titles this year, which means they are unsurprisingly the team to beat.
But how is life different for Cappelletti as a more experienced player on the tour?
“I try to give my best on the court and be an example,” he said. “Sometimes I do it, sometimes maybe not, but I’m sure I have some more years in front of me as one of the best players in the world.”
And with the careers of some very familiar faces in the world of tennis having announced their retirement in just the last month has Cappelletti thought about life after beach tennis?
“Beach tennis is not just my job, it’s my passion,” he said. “It’s what I love to do. My future is always going to be with beach tennis.”
Cappelletti and Ramos are through to the last four at this year’s World Championships in Terracina, where they will meet Andre Baran and Nikita Burmakin.
The top four seeds in the men’s have all progressed unscathed to the semi-finals this year.
In the women’s event, defending champions and top seeds Giulia Gasparri and Ninny Valentini are through to the final once again after defeating Vitoria Marchezini and Marcela Vita in the semis on Friday.
They will play the winner of the second semi-final between Patricia Diaz and Rafaella Miiller against Sofia Cimatti and Nicole Nobile.