Before Jannik Sinner, There Was Adriano Panatta

by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Before Jannik Sinner, there was Adriano Panatta, who was the only other Italian man in the Open Era of tennis (since 1968) to win a major singles title.

All respect goes to perhaps the all-time Italian men’s tennis great Nicola Pietrangeli, who won back-to-back French titles in 1959 and 1960 and lost two other finals at Roland Garros. In the pantheon of Italian men’s tennis greats, he will still be regarded as the top cannoli.

In his famed tennis encyclopedia “The Bud Collins History of Tennis,” Hall of Famer Bud Collins described Panatta at the time as the “best Italian in the Open Era,” which is now up for debate with Sinner’s success. Panatta’s career record is quite similar to that of Sinner as it stands now – one major singles title (1976 French for Panatta, 2024 Australian for Sinner), 10 singles titles (against 11 now for Sinner) and a Davis Cup title for Italy. However, Sinner is only 22 years old. Panatta’s success is not quite up to snuff for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which is why his bio, as seen in the official “Bud Collins History of Tennis” (which is for sale and download here https://a.co/d/fOGnbec is only written in short-hand note form, as you can read below.

PANATTA, Adriano—Best Italian in Open era, Adriano Panatta, RH, b. July 9, 1950, Rome. Slick 6 ft god at Il Foro Italico, Rome, responding winningly to feverish chants, “AD-REE-ANNO!” Strong serve, whipping forehand, called “Portiere” (Goaltender) for brilliant volleying saves. Spectacular 1976 (45-15 matches)—Won French singles, def. Harold Solomon (USA), 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3). Won Italian singles, def. Guillermo Vilas (ARG), 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). Lost Italian F, 1978, to Bjorn Borg (SWE) 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, a tumultuous verbal and tossed-coins assault on Borg. Led Italy to lone Davis Cup, def. Chile, 5-0 (10-1 singles; 5-1 doubles). Also to F, 1977, 79-80. Cup record, 1970–83, 38 ties, 37-26 singles; 27-10 doubles; one of 14 to play 100 matches. MP escapes in big titles, 1976: French, 1 MP, def. Pavel Hutka (CZE), 1st rd., 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, 0-6, 12-10; Italian, 11 MP, def. Kim Warwick (AUS), 1st rd. 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. Best world rank, No. 4 in Aug 1976, 7 at end of 1976. Career: won 10 singles (364-223 matches), 18 doubles (233-152 matches) pro titles, $776,187 prize money. Younger brother, Claudio Panatta (b. Feb. 2, 1960, Rome) played Davis Cup, pro tour.