Italy-based Helene Pellicano is determined to make the grade in professional tennis after winning a host of tournaments at youth level. Valhmor Camilleri spoke to the promising Maltese youngster
Helene PellicanoHelene Pellicano has suddenly become a household name in the local tennis scene as her achievements in Tennis Europe Junior competitions propelled the 13-year-old to stardom in the season just ended.
Last month, Pellicano played in the Masters U-14 tournament at the CT Rocco Polimeni Club, in Reggio Calabria. The event featured the best-performing players on the Tennis Europe Junior circuit.
Pellicano booked her place in the season-ending competition, which pits together the top eight in the rankings, following a highly successful campaign which saw her win five tournaments.
Pellicano was ranked third in the tournament as the favourites were Kamila Rakhimova and Oana Corneanu. However, both Russians succumbed to the pressure as Pellicano made it to the final where she played Marta Kostyuk.
Three sets were required to determine a winner. Pellicano produced a stirring fightback in the decider to come back from 5-1 down and beat her Ukrainian opponent 6-3 3-6 7-6.
Victory in Reggio Calabria meant Pellicano was following on the footsteps of some of the world’s leading players, the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, former Belgian no.1 Kim Clijsters and also Italian favourite Flavia Pennetta.
“Winning the Junior Masters took some time to sink,” Pellicano told The Sunday Times of Malta.
This season has only increased my determination to work harder and do even better next year
“I started preparing for the tournament six weeks in advance and the training paid off. Emotions were high but in the end I was very happy with what I’ve managed to achieve. Winning this prestigious tournament helped me gain in confidence and now my approach towards the game is different.”
Pellicano said her string of title wins during the season played a crucial factor in her strong finale in Reggio.
“I won my first U-14 grade 1 title in Portugal this year and I never looked back,” she said.
“Mentally, it helped me to adapt for the other tournaments. Each match spurred me on and I went on to win five competitions including an U-16 grade 2 and the U-14 Masters.”
Pellicano says she owes her success at youth level to her parents.
Two years ago they took the decision to move to Italy to help her maximise her potential in the sport.
“I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude to my parents for their support throughout my career,” she said.
“I’m training in Italy at the moment and that was an important step in the right direction. The decision to move abroad had nothing to do with the standard of coaching in Malta.
“The main difference is the level of competition… it is higher and I’m reaping all the benefits here.”
Coach Fabio Lavazza is the man who is nurturing Pellicano’s talents in Italy.
“Helene came to Italy two years ago and the technical, physical and mental work she conducted during this time helped to improve her already excellent basics of the game,” he said.
“I’m not surprised that she has won so many tournaments. Tennis is a very honest sport and who trains most and plays better is likely to win a lot of matches.
“She does not hesitate to face the strongest players in the world in this particular age group and that made all the difference.”
More work
Lavazza said Pellicano was far from a finished product and reckons there is still a lot of work to be done if she is to become a professional player.
“Helene has done great but there’s room for improvement,” he said.
“She possesses a very good technical level but all players at her age need to practise really hard to become a top player in the WTA Tour.
“Determination and being ready to do sacrifices in the end will decide whether she can pursue her career on a professional basis. But if she continues to show the same attitude and approach, she can become a great player.”
Pellicano has every intention to make it at the top level.
“This season has only increased my determination to work harder and do even better next year,” she says.
“I also want to represent my country at international level.
“When the time comes, I hope to play in the Fed Cup and the GSSE. My ultimate goal is to become a pro.
“I know that the road ahead is long and difficult but very exciting.”