Federico Luzzi

PERSONAL

Federico Luzzi died on 25 October 2008, aged 28 in his hometown of Arezzo, from a rapid form of leukemia. He began playing at age three when he picked up his father's racquet. Father, Maurizio, is a doctor; mother, Paola, is a musical teacher; has one older sister, Francesca. As a junior, captured world and European champion in 14s age group and European champion in 16s. Also reached SF at Italian Open juniors in 1998. Hobbies include dancing, shopping and going out with friends. His idol growing up was Stefan Edberg. Considered tournaments in Barcelona and Rome in 2001 as turning point in his career as he realised he could compete with top players. He was coached by countryman Fabrizio Fanucci.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1998-Reached SFs at Futures events at Italy #7 and Italy #15...Also earned 31 points on Satellite circuit at Italy #2...Made ATP debut in Palermo, losing in 1st RD to Squillari...1999-On Satellite circuit, earned 24 points at Italy #2 and 26 points at Italy #3...Reached first Futures final at Italy #15 and advanced to Challenger QFs at Olbia and Bressanone...2000-Enjoyed biggest week of his career in Kitzbuehel, reaching 3rd RD as a qualifier...Defeated Coria in 1st RD and Vicente in third set tie-break in 2nd RD before losing to Zabaleta...Advanced to SF at Futures event at Italy #10...In doubles, reached final at Sassuolo Challenger (w/Bracciali)...2001-Had a breakthrough season on ATP circuit and won first two Challenger titles of his career to finish in Top 100 for first time...Finished as No. 3 Italian (behind No. 54 Gaudenzi and No. 91 Sanguinetti)... Began year with first career Challenger crown in Mombai (d. Paes in SF, Galvani in F) in February...Two weeks later, reached final in Singapore Challenger (l. to Fukarek)...In April, made Davis Cup debut and won first rubber against Liukko (Finland) 14-12 in five-set marathon...On clay, advanced to first ATP QF in Barcelona with wins over Acasuso, Vinck and Calatrava before losing to Enqvist...Made most of wild card opportunity in TMS Roma, advancing to 3rd RD (d. No. 11 seed Clement, d. Arazi, l. to Diaz)...Made Roland Garros debut as a lucky loser, but went down to Kafelnikov in 1st RD...In June, advanced to SF at Sassuolo Challenger in native Italy...Did not win back-to-back matches in next six tournaments before turning things around in Brandisi Challenger, winning title (d. Mazarakis)...Finished with 21-10 record in Challenger play...In Davis Cup, lost both singles matches against Ljubicic and Ivanisevic (Croatia) in World Group playoff...Finished season with 2nd RD showings in Palermo, and Challengers at Barcelona and Prague...Compiled 8-8 record on clay courts, 0-1 on hard and 1-1 on carpet...Earned a career-high $164,261. 2007-Went 2-4 on ATP circuit highlighted by 2nd RD performance in Doha, with a win over Melzer (l. to O. Rochus) in first week of season. It was his first ATP win since Australian Open in January 2006. In Challenger action, won third career title in Cherbourg (d. Haehnel)... Finished in Top 150 for second straight year.