Marco Trungelliti and Novak Djokovic
Here’s everything you need to know about Argentine Tennis player Marco Trungelliti and his connection to Novak Djokovic
Argentinian tennis player Marco Trungelliti commended Novak Djokovic for his support of players’ rights, especially when compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Trungelliti, who had to move to Andorra due to the backlash he faced in Argentina, recently came back to his home country for the Buenos Aires Challenger after almost five years. The backlash was triggered by his disclosure of being approached by individuals involved in match-fixing in 2015, which led to bans for three Argentine players, namely Nicolas Kicker, Patricio Heras, and Federico Coria.
Upon his comeback, the 33-year-old player highlighted that while there had been some progress in addressing match-fixing issues on the Challenger tour, ITF Futures events still grappled with daily match-fixing problems. He linked the persistence of this issue to the financial difficulties faced by players.
Trungelliti stressed the significance of Novak Djokovic’s role in raising awareness about the financial disparities in tennis, describing Djokovic’s efforts as crucial. He also criticized Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for their silence on the matter, suggesting that their inaction implied a tacit acceptance of the flawed system.
Marco Trungelliti pointed out the inadequate prize money increase for the ATP Challenger tour this year. He reiterated his criticism of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for not advocating for lower-ranked players and emphasized their complicity in the shortcomings of the system. The 33-year-old also argued that despite their exceptional tennis skills, Federer and Nadal appeared to be lacking in their humanitarian efforts by not taking actions to enhance the system.
On the other hand, Trungelliti expressed his admiration for Novak Djokovic’s efforts in establishing the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) with Vasek Pospisil to tackle these concerns. Trungelliti is actively involved in Djokovic’s PTPA and regularly expresses his support for the organization’s work in promoting players’ rights on social media.
Marco Trungelliti is primarily involved in both singles and doubles competitions on the ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Futures circuits. His career reached its highest point in singles on March 4, 2019, when he achieved a global ranking of 112th. In doubles, he attained his peak ranking at 174th in the world on April 1, 2013. Over the course of his career, he has participated in 22 singles finals, winning 9 of them and experiencing 13 losses. This includes a record of 2 wins and 5 losses in ATP Challenger Tour singles finals. Additionally, he has reached 13 doubles finals, winning 7 and losing 6, with a 3–3 record in ATP Challenger Tour doubles finals.
Trungelliti has earned recognition for his unique and determined approach to tennis. Standing tall at 6 feet 2 inches, this Argentine athlete possesses a powerful serve that often catches his opponents off guard. His forehand is a precision tool, capable of generating winners from almost anywhere on the court. However, what truly sets Trungelliti apart is his exceptional court coverage and defensive skills. He has a remarkable ability to retrieve seemingly impossible shots, effectively turning defensive positions into offensive opportunities. His agility and speed make him a formidable contender in lengthy rallies, and he is more than willing to engage in extended baseline exchanges.
In 2015, Marco Trungelliti declined an approach from individuals involved in match-fixing and promptly reported the incident to tennis authorities. However, his involvement in the subsequent investigation led to his estrangement from the Argentinian tennis community. Trungelliti disclosed in an interview that he was originally approached for a sponsorship meeting, but instead, two individuals informed him about a match-fixing scheme.
According to Trungelliti, these individuals claimed that players could receive a few thousand dollars for manipulating a set or match at the Futures level, around $20,000 for Challengers, and $50,000 to $100,000 at the ATP level. They also provided the names of eight players allegedly involved in this activity.
Trungelliti expressed his shock at the approach from match-fixers and informed them that he would be unavailable because he was heading to Europe for training. In the following months, he contacted the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), mentioning that he received assistance from his training partner in Switzerland to communicate in English. The TIU promptly followed up, requesting messages and screenshots related to the incident. Trungelliti was later asked to serve as a witness in the hearings of three other Argentine players in 2017, including the Top 100 player Nicolas Kicker. During the hearing, he was identifiable through a video link and mentioned that he was accused of speaking out due to a strained relationship with one of the players involved.
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