Italian Luciano Darderi has left a good impression at this Australian Open and recently reached the 4th round after surprising Karen Khachanov in four sets. The Italian was in a live interview with Australian Open Blue Zone when he suffered cramps caused by physical exertion on the Show Court Arena.
The world No. 25 finished the 2025 season with five consecutive defeats, but he corrected course at the start of this year. After falling in the quarterfinals in Auckland, Darderi found inspiration in Melbourne and achieved three consecutive wins to reach his first Round of 16 in a Grand Slam tournament.
Along the way he defeated former top-20 Cristian Garin, Sebastian Baez (one of the standout players at the start of the season and top-10 in the race) and this time the Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov. The last match was a battle of almost three and a half hours and had the Italian of Argentine origin cramping during the post-match interview.
The high temperatures have been a factor in this Australian Open, where players’ physical fatigue has been noticeable, playing matches with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, which also forced adjustments to the daily schedule to avoid peak heat hours.
Darderi will face his biggest challenge so far against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, who extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive victories at Melbourne Park. Darderi will try to stop his compatriot – who already showed some weaknesses against the surprise American Elliot Spizzirri.
The Italian will seek a good rest in the coming days before returning to the court against the world No. 2, with whom he has no prior encounters.
Below is the video of the moment when Darderi suffers from cramps during the live interview, sitting in the TV set.
Darderi suffers cramps during live post-match interview
The victory against Khachanov was especially emotional for the 23-year-old player, who had never before advanced to the second week in a Grand Slam tournament. Darderi recorded a total of 17 aces and won 78% of points on his first serve, as well as totaling 43 winners and 37 unforced errors.
At the end of the match, he had a remarkable gesture towards his first-round rival – Cristian Garin – leaving him a message during the TV broadcast signing: “Fuerza Gago” Darderi wrote for the former world No. 17, who was not only his first-round opponent but also his doubles partner on this occasion.
The 29-year-old Chilean received the sad news of his father’s passing a few days after his elimination in Melbourne, and once out of competition at the Australian Open, his doubles partner Darderi left him an emotional dedication.
“I want to wish him a lot of strength. He’s going through a very difficult moment, and he will come out of it stronger,” he said to Clay Magazine. “We’ll be together throughout the year and we’ll try to support him as much as we can.”
“It just came from the heart. I felt like doing it in that moment,” Darderi explained. “Cris and I train together, we share the same fitness coach and I consider him a friend. I wanted to acknowledge both him and his father.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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