London – On June 27, just ahead of the official start of Wimbledon, the Italian Embassy in London hosted an event celebrating the golden era of Italian tennis. Titled “Il grande tennis italiano: Coppa Davis e Billie Jean King Cup alla vigilia di Wimbledon”, the gathering spotlighted Italy’s recent triumphs in international competitions and the role of sport in cultural diplomacy. Chiara Appendino, Vice President of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP), opened the evening by discussing the Federation’s commitment to nurturing talent and increasing Italy’s presence on the global tennis stage. Paolo Bertolino, founder of the Museum of Rackets, delivered a historical journey through the evolution of the tennis racket, framed around the story of Wimbledon itself. The audience also watched video messages from Filippo Volandri and Tathiana Garbin, coaches of Italy’s national men’s and women’s teams, who recounted the victories that led to Italy’s recent Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup titles. Moderated by RAI journalist Emilio Mancuso, the event drew a crowd of top Italian tennis figures, including Davide Sanguinetti and Mattia Bellucci, alongside coaches such as Simone Tartarini (Lorenzo Musetti), Alessandro Petrone (Matteo Arnaldi), and Alessandro Bega (Matteo Berrettini). As part of the evening, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK also unveiled a new exhibit: “History and Chronology of Tennis Legend”, showcasing a curated selection of historic rackets from the Museum of Rackets. The initiative — supported by the Italian Consulate General in London and the ICE Trade Agency — forms part of Italy’s broader integrated promotion strategy in the UK, aimed at showcasing the country’s cultural heritage and talent on the international stage through sport.