"I can see it in my tennis": Matteo Arnaldi doesn't need a ranking to show positive gains

Editor's note: After this story was published, Arnaldi defeated No. 6 Andrey Rublev in straight sets ⤴️

PARIS—Matteo Arnaldi arrived to the Roland Garros media mixed zone Thursday for a series of brief one-on-one interviews. The 23-year-old appears relaxed, wearing a Le Coq Sportif hoodie, shorts and flip-flops. When I ask whether the choice of footwear is his comfort zone, Arnaldi laughs before explaining not at all—he was simply in a bit of a rush.

“No, it’s because I forgot the socks. So I didn't want to put the feet in my shoes without the socks because then it starts smelling,” he says with a grin. “So I just put on the flip-flops. I still have to have lunch to get.”

One couldn’t fault Arnaldi for being in a hurry. Just as he was finishing, rain returned for the second of multiple appearances on the day. Minutes before closing out France’s Alexandre Muller, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, Arnaldi fought off six break points in a stirring 20-point game to reach 5-3 after starting the set down 0-2. Had that not gone his way, there’s no saying when lunch would have been served.

“That was a really important game. I had to be a bit resilient because I didn't play like I played the four games before,” he assessed. “And it was let's say his last chance, because it was an important game. He had a few break points. So that I think turned the match 100 percent in my way, I would say.”

While a certain countryman of his also born in 2001 has garnered much-deserved attention, Arnaldi has made significant strides himself. Three years ago, he was ranked outside of the Top 900. Two years ago, his ranking left him short of making the cut for Roland Garros qualifying. Last year, he went 20-15 in his first season at the tour level and now, he’s ranked a career-high No. 35 with a US Open fourth-round showing and Davis Cup title among his achievements.

“I did big steps every year. That's what matters for me and for my team, that what we are doing is working,” Arnaldi says.

“It's never easy. Can be tough moments for sure and hard times, but the most important thing for me is that I'm still improving. I don't pay much attention to the ranking. I can see it in my tennis. That's what matters for me.”

A native of Sanremo, Arnaldi mostly keeps to himself. Like anyone, the Italian’s walls come down when around those who know him best. Take coach Alessandro Petrone, who Arnaldi shared a room with for 18 months a few years back to keep costs down on the road in his pursuit to reach the elite level of the sport.

“We have a good relationship,” he says. “I don't open much in public I would say. But with the people that are with me all the time, my girlfriend, my team in general, I'm pretty open. We share a lot of good moments.”

Arnaldi has a shot to create a great moment for everybody involved in his next match at the clay-court major. Awaiting him in the third round: Madrid champion and world No. 6 Andrey Rublev. The two meet Friday on Court Suzanne Lenglen, with Arnaldi seeking his first Top 10 win in a Grand Slam event.

“I love to play in those matches, because it can take out the best of me. When you play against the Top 10, you test your level,” he believes. “I didn't play a very good match with De Minaur in Australia. In New York against Alcaraz, I didn't win a set, but I was playing pretty good.”