How a doubles star helped Andrea Vavassori shine in singles | ATP Tour
Everything Adds Up
How double stardom helped Vavassori break out into singles
The Italian talks to ATPtour.com about his double in Adelaide
January 13, 2026
Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
Andrea Vavassori plays singles and doubles in Adelaide.
Written by Andrew Eichenholz
Andrea Vavassori walked to the net to shake hands on Tuesday after winning her first round match at the Adelaide International. That alone is not surprising.
What may attract the attention of the fans is that it was not a two-player game. Vavassori, who was an alternate in the singles qualifiers, entered the main draw and upset the No. 41 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Gabriel Diallo.
“Today was a very good match. It gives me confidence because Gabriel is an unbelievable player,” Vavassori told ATPTour.com. “I saw him play many times last year, he is one of the top level players who don’t like to play against them because he is very dangerous with his work and his hands.”
Many will start saying that about Vavassori, too. The 30-year-old is known for his doubles success, partnering Simone Bolelli in the past two editions of the Nitto ATP Finals and three major men’s finals, including the 2024 and 2025 Australian Opens.
But the Italian is showing in Adelaide that he is a force to be reckoned with on the singles court, even if he hears of his last-minute entry into the draw.
“Actually, I didn’t expect it because I was practicing a lot in the gym the day before,” said Vavassori. “I got it at the last minute. The manager was late 10 minutes before the end of the sign-in [period for qualifying].”
Vavassori is the World No. 336, but rose to No. 128 in 2023. In the last two years, he played Carlos Alcaraz twice and Jannik Sinner once, so he has a lot of experience on the big stage. The winner of 11 tour-level matches is prepared for such occasions, too.
“I practiced a lot during the preseason and singles because we don’t have many players who will practice twice in my area, and I think that practicing singles helps me to be the best player of all,” said Vavassori. “It’s not about singles, doubles, mixed doubles, it’s about being a better player. I enjoy playing tennis every time I can. I’m very competitive, so when I go on the court, I try to give my best every time.”
Vavassori would like to play more singles if given the chance, but it’s not an easy situation. He is number 14 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, which allows him to play in the biggest tournaments in the world, where he rarely gets a spot in singles.
That’s why he’s relishing the opportunity to compete as he is this week in Adelaide. The Torino native actually believes he’s “much better” at singles now than when he focused on it.
“Doubly so and you face pressure in big moments on big courts,” Vavassori said. “That helped me become a better player. I think I train properly. I understand my game a lot. I think I have a different style of play [compared to other] the players. Maybe I try to go to the net too much. We don’t see much of this kind of play anymore.
“I think the best thing doubles has done is to become a better player in times of pressure because when you play a Grand Slam final in doubles or doubles, I think the pressure is there. It helped me become a better player in situations. So today, maybe two, three chances I played well.”
Vavassori hopes that will continue, starting with his second round match on Wednesday against home favorite Aleksandar Vukic and his doubles match later in the day with Bolelli.
