Stefano D'Agostino - ProKennex Racchette e Accessori

We meet Stefano D’Agostino, one of Italy’s most promising young talents, born in Riva del Garda in 2003, best ATP ranking 851 – 22 points.
stefanodagostinotennis.it

After experiences at the academies in Brescia and Vicenza, you moved closer to home. Today, you train at the Caldaro Tennis Club, where Seppi also grew up as a player.

At Caldaro, I found the perfect environment to grow both technically and mentally. Especially over the past year, I’d say I’ve “put things in order,” both on and off the court. Thanks to the work done with coach Massimo Canestrari, I feel I have gained confidence and awareness in my abilities. I am calm, feel more responsible, and have raised my level of competitiveness and the goals I aim to achieve.

Have you ever met Andreas?

The first time I saw him was some time ago in Rovereto. I was a ball boy at the Serie A finals, and he was playing for Tennis Club Bassano. Thanks to ProKennex and coach Massimo Sartori, I had the opportunity to train with him a few years later, before he retired. I can say he is the strongest player I have ever trained with. I still value his advice to this day. For me, he will always be a source of great inspiration, a positive role model, and always available.
My dream would be to break his records and take over as the ProKennex brand ambassador on an international level.

You are considered one of the young Italian talents who best embodies modern tennis. Given your young age, how much room for improvement do you feel you still have, and what are you currently working on?

The serve has always been one of my strengths, and I work on it every day to make it even more effective, as it plays a major role in my game. I also have room for improvement in my backhand, and my goal is to bring it to the same level of effectiveness as my forehand.

You’ve been playing with ProKennex practically your whole life. What is your experience with the Black Ace series, which has recently launched new models in three different weights, as well as Pro and 105 versions?

Before 2020, I used to play with the Q+5 racquet. When I tried the Black Ace, I immediately felt great with it, and I’ve now been playing with the 300-gram version for four years. In terms of feel, I’d say that playing with any ProKennex racquet is a unique experience. Once you realize the impact the Kinetic System has on your game, you don’t switch. The Black Ace gives you the sensation of feeling the ball “in your hand.” For those used to hitting clean shots, who want perfect control in every circumstance and love spin like I do, it’s a racquet that offers great satisfaction.

This past year has been extraordinary for you in terms of results. Do you fondly remember any vitory or tournament you played in?

I definitely have vivid memories of the two semifinals in Serbia and my first quarterfinals in the 25k tournaments, where I beat players ranked in the top 400 in the world. I’m also fond of the tournaments in Padova and Cattolica because I believe I played excellent tennis on both occasions. However, I am convinced that the best moment is yet to come. Winning my first title will certainly be one of those.

Have you and coach Canestrari already planned your objectives for 2025?

Our shared goal is to compete on increasingly important “stages”. We haven’t set specific time goals; I want to be able to play in the Slams and face the strongest players in the world. It’s a matter of time – it will be a rocky path, but I have no doubt that I can get there. I’m someone who never gives up once I have a target in sight.

How does tennis help you in life in general?

Tennis is an incredible life teacher. It’s an individual sport where you must get used to facing at least one loss a week unless you win every tournament. It teaches you to get back up immediately, step out of your comfort zone, and start again. In life, this gives you a significant advantage.

Upcoming tournaments?

Matches on hard courts in Tunisia or Greece, aiming to finish the season with 35 to 40 points. This would allow me to start the new season playing in Challengers and raising my level. In the next three or four years, my goal is to play in the Slams and join the ATP circuit.