TERRANOVA TENNIS CLUB INAUGURATES A NEW COURT
LORENZI: “A KEY TOURNAMENT FOR ITALIAN TENNIS”
Olbia, October 2, 2025 – The third edition of the Olbia Challenger is fast approaching. The event, organized by the Terranova Tennis Club and MEF Tennis Events, is scheduled for October 12-19, while the usual preparations continue. The Challenger 125, supported for the third consecutive year by Health Partner Mater Olbia, features current ATP No. 72 Alejandro Tabilo leading an entry list packed with exciting names, including former Top 10 player Pablo Carreno Busta and promising Nishesh Basavareddy, recently ranked No. 3 in the under-18 world rankings. Martin Landaluce is also expected to return to Sardinia: the former leader of the under-18 rankings lifted the first Challenger trophy of his career last year in Olbia, defeating Mattia Bellucci in the final, and is ready to defend his title as the reigning champion. Italy is also represented, awaiting the wild cards: Francesco Maestrelli will be in the main draw. While this is a tournament for many athletes, numerous young professionals will try to carve out a place for themselves in Olbia to pursue their dreams of the main circuit, with Sardinia proving to be a crucial stage in their career development.
Mater Olbia Hospital supports the tournament for the third consecutive year – “We are delighted to continue the journey we have undertaken with the Olbia Challenger, a virtuous initiative that reflects the fundamental values of sport, health, and well-being,” said Giovanni Paolo D’Incecco Bayard de Volo, CEO of Mater Olbia Hospital. “We believe that events of this caliber have the ability to generate energy not only for athletes and fans, but also for the region that hosts them. Olbia and Sardinia represent ideal settings for combining competitive spirit and community. Mater Olbia Hospital has always been, and will continue to be, present whenever initiatives are undertaken aimed at improving people’s quality of life.”
UniCredit Allianz Assicurazioni is a new tournament partner – Starting today, the Olbia Challenger 125 has a prestigious new partner: UniCredit Allianz Assicurazioni. “We are delighted to be the Official Partner of the Olbia Challenger,” said Paolo Novati, General Manager of UniCredit Allianz Assicurazioni, “convinced that the future of these young talents deserves attention and support, consistent with our mission to offer protection and peace of mind to families and businesses, enabling them to face the future with confidence and peace of mind.”
Best wishes from Mayor Settimo Nizzi and Councilor Elena Casu – Much of the event’s organization is supported by the Municipality of Olbia and the Region of Sardinia. “It is with great pride that the city welcomes the third edition of the Olbia Challenger,” said Mayor Settimo Nizzi, “a well-established event on the international sports scene. This tournament is not only an opportunity to celebrate talent and competition, but also to enhance our city as a place of encounter, culture, and sporting passion. I wish all the athletes, organizers, and spectators intense and exciting days ahead.” The Mayor’s words were echoed by those of Sports Councilor Elena Casu: “This tournament is a source of pride, not only for the city of Olbia but for all of Sardinia. Bringing tennis to this high level is very important, especially for this city. My thanks go to Marcello Marchesini, who believed in this city, but above all to the entire staff of this club. Tennis has grown at the Italian level in recent years, given the successes, but I am certain that the success of this club is also due to the management of this facility, which is growing over time. We have just inaugurated the new court, and every promise is a promise. What makes me most happy is seeing so many children getting involved as ball boys. I believe that being a ball boy at this event is very educational. The tournament’s great success shows us how much this city wants even more tennis.”
Franco Bellini brought greetings from the FITP – Among those speaking was Franco Bellini, president of FITP Sardinia: “TC Terranova is a jewel in the crown of the region’s tennis clubs. In recent years, since the new management took over, the club has completely transformed with a top-quality coaching staff. This tournament is the starting point for the Italian youth system,” he added, recalling the finalists of the last two editions, Flavio Cobolli and Mattia Bellucci. “Cobolli is ranked top 25 but only entered the top 20 last month, while Bellucci is ranked top 70. This year, we will have several Italian players in the main draw. A player like Lorenzo Carboni, currently ranked top 450, could easily break into the top 200 if he plays to his full potential.”
Tathiana Garbin and Paolo Lorenzi emphasize the importance of tournaments like this in Italy – Tathiana Garbin, captain of the Italian Billie Jean King Cup team, and Paolo Lorenzi, director of the Internazionali BNL D’Italia, also spoke at the press conference. Tathiana Garbin, fresh from her triumph in Shenzhen: “Winning the Billie Jean King Cup was incredibly exciting. We know that repeating our success is unique. I’m happy to take this victory, the result of great teamwork.” Paolo Lorenzi: “I believe tournaments like the Olbia Challenger are crucial for Italian tennis: it’s what young players need to gain experience and get used to playing at the highest level.” Compliments were also lavished on the organizers: “Already in the third edition, you managed to inaugurate a new court. Meeting the players’ needs is a testament to the high level of the tournament.” Finally, on the entry list: “The level is always very high. Thanks go to the entire organization—the club, the municipality, and the Region—without which it would be difficult to organize tournaments like this. Without these events, we wouldn’t have the victories in the BJK Cup and Davis Cup, nor the players we have now. As a Federation, I can only thank you.”
The Terranova Tennis Club reopens its doors – Since the conclusion of last year’s event, the Terranova Tennis Club has been working diligently on the improvements needed for 2025: “We are delighted to host a Challenger tournament here again,” said club president Giuseppe Bianco. “It’s an honor and a great pleasure for us to welcome today’s top sports professionals. This year, we will have a fourth greenset court, a project that allows us to better accommodate players and further enhances the club’s facilities. Thanks for this go to the Municipality of Olbia, which has enabled us to make this leap in quality. I also thank the Region of Sardinia, and I would also like to emphasize the importance of the support of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, as well as that of the sponsors who have believed in this event from the very beginning and the new ones who have joined for this edition. All of this demonstrates that the Olbia Challenger is becoming part of the local economy and beyond, being perceived as an event of undeniable value. I am confident that this third edition will once again meet the expectations of TV viewers and visitors.” Many who come to the club will not be disappointed.
Ticket office open on the official website – The ticket office is open on the website www.olbiachallenger.com. For press accreditation requests, please send an email to credentials@meftennisevents.com.