Italien hope Federico Cina sets his sights on the top 100: “Let’s start there, then we’ll see”

Federico Cina knows exactly where his next step lies. “In terms of ranking, I’d really love the top 100. Let’s start there, then we’ll see,” the 19-year-old Italian told Simona Santoni of Icon Magazine in an interview published on Thursday.

Cina, ranked No. 135, said he was at the best ranking of his career. This season, the Palermo-born player, now based in Monte-Carlo, won his first Challenger title and came through qualifying to reach the main draw at Roland-Garros and the US Open.

His other target before the end of the year is the Next Gen ATP Finals in December. “They were a goal from the start of the year, even more so knowing they’ll be held in Reggio Calabria, very close to home,” he said.

“In that sense, sINNER Is a machine”

Asked what he would take from the two men at the top of the game, Cina did not hesitate. “From Sinner, the mentality. Right now I’m trying to work on consistency, and in that sense he’s a machine,” he said.

“From Alcaraz, his talent, the creativity, that way he has of reading matches. He does things others can’t even imagine.” Consistency is also what he wants from 2027.

Djokovic, Ronaldo and a father who slows him down

His favorite player has always been Novak Djokovic, whom he has never faced, just as he has never played Sinner. He has played Alcaraz, whom he described as very down to earth. Outside tennis, his idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, for his work ethic.

Cina is coached by his father, a former coach of Roberta Vinci. He admitted he was in a hurry to grow, but said his father and his coaches kept his impatience in check and pushed him to take one step at a time.

In five to 10 years, he wants to be competing to win the biggest tournaments, not just to take part. And World No. 1? “For now, it’s just a huge dream.” Read the full interview by Simona Santoni on Icon Magazine (in Italian).