Federico Luzzi

thumb|Federico Luzzi in 2006 Federico Luzzi (1980 – 2008) was an Italian professional tennis player who had been ranked as high as World No. 92. Luzzi had been suspended from professional tennis in 2008 for six months after a determination was made that he had gambled on the outcome of matches over a three-year span. He was diagnosed with leukemia on a Wednesday and died four days later. While he was on suspension and awaiting the outcome of the case he studied acting in Hollywood. He screen tested and was to return to Hollywood in 2009 to begin filming two movies. Quotes I'm a lucky guy: ranked 167th in the world with five Italians ahead of me, and they gave me the Davis Cup showcase! Sono un ragazzo fortunato: n. 167 del mondo con cinque italiani davanti e mi hanno regalato la vetrina della Coppa Davis! As quoted in Ubaldo Scanagatta, La leucemia si porta via Luzzi, Ubitennis.com (October 25, 2008) Quotes about I knew Federico from the age of 15. He was a player who entertained the crowd. Watching him fascinated me. I never met him on the circuit, but I will always remember him as a nice and funny guy. Conoscevo Federico dall'età di 15 anni. Era un giocatore che divertiva il pubblico. Vederlo mi affascinava. Non l'ho mai incontrato nel circuito ma lo ricorderò sempre come un tipo simpatico e divertente. Roger Federer, Réquiem por Federico Luzzi, El Mundo, translated into Italian by Veronica Lavenia, Ubitennis.com, 27 ottobre 2008 Federico not only won, he won beautifully. He was also a handsome boy, with a captivating face that was both sweet and mischievous, showered with female affection, not least from his mother Paola. Federico non solo vinceva, ma vinceva in bellezza. Era, per di più, un bel bambino, faccino accattivante ad un tempo dolce e furbetto, sommerso di affetti femminili, non ultimo quello della mamma Paola. Gianni Clerici, as quoted in Cuore Luzzi e Navarra Italia vicina al gran colpo, la Repubblica (April 7, 2001) Regardless of his tennis skills, which were perhaps not fully exploited, he was a likeable and brilliant young man, and his sudden death left his many friends in disbelief and dismay. Rino Tommasi, as quoted in Addio a una promessa, Ubitennis.com (October 25, 2008) The last time we had dinner together was in Los Angeles, where he was taking an acting course. “Fla, you don't know how many women,” he told me. And I teased him: “What on earth do they see in you...” Every now and then I look at the photo of Fede that I keep in my wallet: he was beautiful. Flavia Pennetta, as quoted in in Marco Sicolo, Le frasi più curiose di Flavia Pennetta], ubitennis.com (August 10, 2009) I didn't know him well, although I knew he was considered the hope of Italian tennis. As a player, he was very nervous, but that's common among young people trying to make a name for themselves. What I don't understand is how a 28-year-old can die while many criminals walk around freely. Nicola Pietrangeli, Réquiem por Federico Luzzi, El Mundo, translated into Italian by Veronica Lavenia, Ubitennis.com, 27 ottobre 2008 Federico Luzzi was there to watch me play in the final against Safina last year, and now he's gone. It was as if he were there with me. Flavia Pennetta, Il blob della settimana, gazzetta.it (August 10, 2009) He could be a phenomenon, someone like Xavier Malisse. He has the handicap of being Italian. Nick Bollettieri, as quoted in Gianni Clerici, Cuore Luzzi e Navarra Italia vicina al gran colpo, la Repubblica (April 7, 2001) External links Category:1980 births Category:2008 deaths Category:Tennis players from Italy