When Mattia Bellucci walks onto the court inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday afternoon to face home favourite Taylor Fritz in the second round, the dynamic lefty will try to add to the early list of upsets at this year’s US Open.
Watch the No. 95 player in the PIF ATP Rankings carefully when he serves and hits groundstrokes. Of course, pay close attention as the 25-year-old tries to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows for the first time. But also keep an eye on his upper arms.
Bellucci sports two of the most interesting tattoos in tennis. On his left arm is Fujin, the Japanese god of wind. On his right arm is Raijin, the Japanese god of thunder.
“They are just typical Japanese tattoos,” Bellucci told ATPTour.com. “I really like the Japanese culture and Japanese tattoos. So two years ago I started doing some lines and now I'm trying to fill it up with some colour,” Bellucci said. “It obviously takes some time because I'm traveling a lot and they are in a position where I cannot fill them up very quickly.”
Bellucci really enjoys street culture and Japan. When he goes to Tokyo, it is always an exciting trip.
The first time the Italian landed in the country, there was a man on the bus with Fujin depicted on the back of his phone.
“I still didn't have the tattoo,” Bellucci said. “So I was thinking about it, and I said, ‘I need to do it’.”
Photo: Getty Images
Bellucci first competed in the ATP 500 event in Tokyo in September 2024 and returned to the country later that season for three ATP Challenger events.
The former World No. 63 later began the process of getting the tattoos in Milan.
“Tattoos and also some art and stuff like that [are] some things that [make me] passionate a little bit,” Bellucci said. “So I'm quite happy to have on my skin something particular that I like and yeah, hopefully I'm going to finish it soon.”
A fan of vintage clothing and sneakers, Bellucci will keep his focus on tennis for now. The four-time ATP Challenger titlist has a big opportunity ahead against the ninth-seeded Fritz.
The pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting came earlier this year in Stuttgart, where Fritz rallied for a 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 victory.
“I had to do an amazing performance, and I couldn't get the win,” Bellucci said. “But hopefully the next one is going to be even better. I’ll try to play my best tennis, and let's see how it goes. I'm in the U.S., I'm playing an American guy, and I can't wait for it.”
Bellucci has experience with big moments in New York. Last year, he faced eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, with the Spaniard dropping just four games.
“For me, it's always something that gives me the possibility to get better,” Bellucci said. “Because after that, you can see the match, and you can see how you played against a big opponent, and I [become] even more passionate about the sport.”
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