Francesco Maestrelli on the confrontation with Novak Djokovic: ‘One of the most exciting things of my life’ | ATP tour | Tennis

Player Features

Maestrelli ecstatic for confrontation with Djokovic: ‘One of the most exciting things of my life’

Italian describes his success at the Australian Open and the change that benefited his game
January 21, 2026

The look on Francesco Maestrelli’s face said it all at Melbourne Park on Monday. The Italian had just defeated Terence Atmane in the first round of the Australian Open and understandably struggled to hold back his tears.

“Very, very emotional. I dreamed a lot about these competitions and for me it was a dream to take part in the first [major main draw] of my career,” Maestrelli told ATPTour.com. “I didn’t think I would win a five-set match on my Tour debut, and I’m so excited and so happy.”

It was not only Maestrelli’s first major main draw match, but only his second tour-level match overall. The Pisa native’s only previous ATP Tour match took place in October 2022 in Florence. Now the 23-year-old is stepping straight into the spotlight.

Maestrelli will next face ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. The Italian said he has watched the Serb “millions of times”.

“They told me there was the opportunity to play against Djokovic and that it will be one of the most exciting things of my life,” Maestrelli said. “It’s crazy to get the chance to see his name close to mine in an official match and let’s see. I’ll do my best to try to win. I know it’s so complicated but that’s it.”

The four-time ATP Challenger champion has never practiced or had a formal conversation with Djokovic. Maestrelli has “Ciao!” against the Serbian a few times over the years, but he will have to be ready to take on the 24-time major titlist on Thursday in their first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.

“That’s one of the players who doesn’t have that [many] Weaknesses,” Maestrelli said. “It’s going to be so hard to prepare for the game and I think we’re going to try to put everything I have on the field and it’s going to be hard.”

Maestrelli showed the world his talent at an early age and broke into the Top 200 of the PIF ATP Rankings as a 19-year-old in September 2022. But it took more than three years for him to reach the Top 150.

“That’s not easy, because if you get big results when you’re young, it’s a little easier. If you don’t know much about the Tour, then you start playing,” Maestrelli said. “But you also have to know that there are bad moments when results are not forthcoming. You have to struggle, you have to stay [through] very big difficulties and try to improve with them.”

Maestrelli trained at the local center of the Italian Federation since the age of sixteen. But two years ago, Maestrelli moved two hours’ drive from Pisa to Sinalunga, where he trains under Giovanni Galuppo and Gabrio Castrichella.

“It was so exciting because it was a new experience for me and it’s so good to share this moment with them,” Maestrelli said. “I’m so afraid of changes, but I thought this was the right time to do it. Then I tried to go and.” [not] think about it, and maybe, [now that it is] Two years later I can say it was the right decision.”

In addition to tennis, Maestrelli enjoys playing basketball. His favorite player is Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball because of his creativity on the court. The Italian also enjoys watching the Pisa Sporting Club football team from his hometown.

“I’m a normal guy and I try to do my best in what I love: tennis,” Maestrelli said. “I’m trying to get everything out there, and I’m a tall guy. I’m going to try to serve as quickly as possible because I know he might be better than me in the rallies. But I don’t know, let’s see.”