Thursday was one of the most special days of Eliot Spizzirri’s life. The 22-year-old American defeated #NextGenATP star Joao Fonseca in a three-set thriller to qualify for the US Open main draw for the first time.
After the match, Spizzirri was cooling down in the gym by himself and going through his post-match stretching routine when he received a pleasant surprise. Actor Matthew McConaughey had posted a message congratulating him on his success.
“Longhorn @espizz11 onto the @usopen main draw. #hookem” McConaughey wrote.
Longhorn @espizz11 onto the @usopen main draw. #hookem
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) August 22, 2024
The celebrity earned a film degree from the University of Texas, where Spizzirri was a standout on the university’s tennis team.
“I just opened up Twitter, and I saw that, and I just started smiling,” Spizzirri told ATPTour.com. “It's crazy to think about. He's obviously one of my favourite actors, but also just a huge staple for UT, and a guy that everyone looks up to, obviously being the Minister of Culture and doing a lot for Texas sports. To see him tweet about me is super special.”
McConaughey is not only an alumnus of UT, but a professor at the school and has dubbed himself “Minister of Culture”. He consistently supports members of the school’s community, and Spizzirri is just the latest example.
“It's crazy to fathom that he's checking in on qualifying at the US Open,” Spizzirri said. “But I just can't appreciate it enough, and it just shows how tightly knit the Texas community is. So yeah, I was ecstatic when I saw it.”
The American, who grew up training at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, said his favourite movie featuring the actor is The Wolf of Wall Street. Spizzirri will hope to have as much success at Flushing Meadows as the movie did in theatres. He plays #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen in the first round.
It is safe to say McConaughey will be watching. As he would say, “Alright, alright, alright!”
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