Marco Trungelliti: An unconventional success story  

Marco Trungelliti may not be the most famous name in tennis, but few players on the circuit carry as many remarkable stories as the 35-year-old Argentine. From a late-night road trip to Roland Garros with his grandmother to standing up against match-fixing in the sport, Trungelliti has carved out a career that transcends rankings and results.

Now ranked World No. 169 and based in the serene mountains of Andorra, Trungelliti has built a grounded, yet unconventional tennis career defined by integrity and resilience. A career-high of No. 112 in 2019 and four ATP Challenger titles, including the most recent in Lyon this past June, speak to his enduring presence on the tour. But his impact goes beyond numbers.

A Parisian Road trip for the ages

The most iconic chapter of Trungelliti’s career unfolded at the 2018 French Open. When Nick Kyrgios withdrew at the last minute, Trungelliti — then an alternate — drove 10 hours from Barcelona to Paris just in time to sign in. He wasn’t alone. Alongside him in the car were his mother and his 89-year-old grandmother, Lela, who happened to be visiting from Argentina.

“I will always remember that trip to Paris for the rest of my life. I wish I could have played better, but it was a special moment,” Trungelliti says. “My grandma Lela passed away a year and a half ago. She was 94 years old and wanted to leave.”

Despite the grueling drive, Trungelliti defeated Bernard Tomic in four sets the next morning, making it to the second round of Roland Garros before falling to Marco Cecchinato. The story has since become a classic among tennis fans.

Family, Rwanda, and the spirit of adventure

Tennis has taken Trungelliti all over the world, and he continues to embrace the journey. In 2023, he shared another unique experience, this time with his mother, during the inaugural Rwanda Challenger in Kigali.

“It was my first time in Africa. As soon as I saw the tournaments there on the calendar, I wanted to go,” he recalls. “My mom Susana has always had the dream to visit the continent. We don’t know why, but she loves Africa. We are in the middle of nowhere in Argentina so there is actually no reason for her to love Africa, but she does.”

The trip proved memorable for both. “Kigali was perfect. The treatment was unbelievable. The people were amazing. I liked the coffee and bought a couple of packages there,” he says with a smile. “It was the beginning of three to four months, which were really good for me. And for my mom, it was probably one of the best experiences of her life.”

Life in Andorra and love for Germany

Today, Trungelliti lives in Andorra with his wife Nadir Ortolani and their young son Mauna. “We’ve been living in Andorra for seven years. It’s very calm and my kid is enjoying his life in the middle of the nature with forests and rivers,” he says. “That’s different to cities like Buenos Aires or Barcelona, where I lived before.”

He also has a soft spot for Germany. “I love coming here. The food is great. In Argentina we have a dish called ‘Milanesa’ which is similar to the German Schnitzel. This makes me feel like being at home,” he explains during this year’s Neckarcup in Bad Rappenau. “I also like the people here and everything works in terms of organization.”

Standing tall for integrity

Trungelliti’s reputation in the sport extends beyond the court. In 2015, he was approached by match-fixers who offered him, and others, substantial sums to manipulate matches. Rather than staying silent, he reported the incident to the Tennis Integrity Unit. The investigation led to the suspension of three Argentine players in 2017.

The man behind the racket

Nicknamed “Café,” Trungelliti speaks Spanish, English, and Italian. He left home at 14 to pursue tennis and grew up idolizing David Ferrer. Off the court, he enjoys basketball, particularly the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, and has a deep admiration for Manu Ginóbili, Dirk Nowitzki, and Michael Jordan. His favorite movie is Ice Age, his favorite actor is Denzel Washington, and he still relishes a good asado, the Argentine barbecue.

In an era where success is often measured in titles and fame, Marco Trungelliti offers a different kind of tennis story — one of resilience, principles, and humanity. Whether driving through the night to Paris or exploring new horizons in Africa, Trungelliti continues to embrace the sport on his own terms, with family, curiosity, and integrity always along for the ride.