Luciano Darderi Triumphs at the Croatia Open: A Season to Remember
Italian tennis star Luciano Darderi celebrated a remarkable milestone by securing his third title of the season at the Croatia Open. In a thrilling match against Carlos Taberner, Darderi dominated with a score of 6-3, 6-3. However, as the final point concluded, he collapsed in pain, drawing the concern of both fans and players alike.
This victory marked a significant achievement for Darderi, who moved up 11 places in the ATP rankings to No. 35. The win follows his impressive ATP 250 title at Bastad just a week prior, bringing his impressive streak to nine consecutive matches. Throughout the 86-minute match, Darderi showcased his skill with 20 winners against 17 unforced errors, taking control right from the first break with a stunning forehand winner at 3-2 in the opening set.
Although Taberner had made headlines by upsetting top seed Francisco Cerundolo to reach his first tour-level final, he found himself outmatched by Darderi’s exceptional play. Darderi now boasts an impressive 19-1 record on clay in 2025 against players ranked outside the top 30.
However, the match took a tense turn in the final game. On the verge of victory, Darderi appeared to roll his ankle while chasing down a ball for match point. Despite the injury, he managed to hit a remarkable shot down the line, forcing Taberner to return it into the net. As Darderi celebrated his win, he collapsed on the court due to the pain in his ankle.
In a touching display of sportsmanship, Taberner rushed to Darderi’s side to offer assistance. He helped lift Darderi to his feet and even offered to carry him to his seat, turning what could have been a tense moment into a heartwarming exchange between two competitors.
The trophy presentation was temporarily delayed as Darderi received medical attention on the court. Afterward, he expressed his gratitude and excitement about his victory: "It is something special for me. The last month has been crazy. I just want to thank my dad and my whole team. Without them, it would be impossible. I am very happy about the title."
Reflecting on his recent success, Darderi added, "If you told me this two weeks ago, I would have said it was impossible. But I am very happy with my performance, and my tennis was incredible this week. Now, I will focus on resting and aim to maintain this level as I transition to hard courts next week."
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