By Liz Leamy
Eliot Spizzirri, the talented and ever-determined 22 year-old tennis player from Greenwich has been busy making an indelible mark in the professional athletic arena upon qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Open men’s singles main draw by scoring three consecutive wins in the qualifying rounds of this globally celebrated tournament, rendering him as one an up-and-coming player to keep an eye on.
Since graduating from the University of Texas with honors as a business major last spring, this remarkable athlete has begun his journey on the prestigious global ATP tour in effective style as he has been making a name as a formidable challenger in this world-class tennis sports arena.
At the U.S. Open, Spizzirri defeated Gregoire Barrere of France, 6-3, 6-2, Joris De Loore of Belgium, 7-5, 7-6 and Joao Fonseca of Brazil, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 in the three qualifying rounds leading up to the main draw, an accomplishment he, his family and team were all thrilled about.
“Eliot played great tennis and qualifying for the main draw was indicative of what is happening with his tennis,” said Peter Spizzirri, his dad. “He loves what he does and it’s always great to see him out there playing. We’re just so excited for him.”
In the first match of the main draw, Spizzirri, who was also ranked as the number-one ITA college tennis men’s singles player in 2023 and 2024, put up a fierce fight against Alex Michelsen of the U.S. with a 3-6, 5-7, 1-6 score.
Throughout this match, Spizzirri hit many of his characteristic lightning-quick shots and serves to make an indelible imprint as being a significant part of the next generation of rising American players on the ATP tour. (In the second round, Michelsen wound up being defeated by Jannik Sinner of Italy, 2-6, 0-6, 4-6, champion of this year’s U.S. Open.)
During this impressive run, Spizzirri also caught the attention of Novak Djokovic, the iconic ATP number-one player who asked him to practice in the Arthur Ashe stadium. (Although he was thrilled by Djokovic’s request, Spizzirri was unable to accept his invitation as he had already been committed to practicing with Tommy Paul, the U.S. player ranked 13th on the ATP circuit that same afternoon.)
“Eliot was thrilled by Novak’s invite and just really played great tennis at the U.S. Open,” said his dad. “He’s getting so much experience and exposure through this journey and it’s exciting, especially for everyone in the family, as well as his coaches, friends and so many others who have been there supporting him throughout the way.”
A passion for playing since childhood
As a child, Spizzirri had started playing tennis at the age of five while attending summer camp at the Round Hill Club in Greenwich where he instantly showed a knack, as well as love, for the sport.
“Eliot and his [twin] brother, Nick, were playing tennis, squash and golf at camp that summer. During that time, they both developed a passion for racquet sports,” said his dad, adding that Eliot was all about tennis while Nick was drawn to squash. “At that point, they each started to pursue those sports more seriously.” (Nick, like Eliot with his tennis, has achieved remarkable success as a squash player over the years, having achieved a number-one national ranking playing for the University of Pennsylvania and 161 ranking on the Professional Squash Association tour while he is also seeking to represent the U.S. at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.)
At age seven, Spizzirri, who also has a younger sister, Alex (who now attends the University of Virginia), had been attending the Greenwich Country Day School and during this time, had made the decision to pursue tennis on a serious basis.
“Eliot had delved into a lot of different sports and then just gravitated to tennis,” said Amory Armstrong Kenny, Eliot’s mom. “At that point, he wanted to commit to it.”
Eliot’s dad agreed.
“He just loved it,” said his dad. “Right from the start, since age five, Eliot had a passion for playing and just always wanted to be out on the court hitting the ball.”
A key connection
At this stage, Spizzirri also started training with Patrick Hirscht, the renowned Round Hill Club tennis pro who is a Director at the Solaris Racquet Club of the Hirscht-DiFilippo Tennis Academy with John DeFilippo in Stamford on a regular basis, a union that has proven to be prolific, to say the least.
“It’s been great to work with Eliot and you could see early on his talent, strength and drive,” said Hirscht. “He is a hard worker and was willing to put in the time and effort to play well.”
Soon after he started working with Hirscht, Spizzirri was evolving swiftly, as he was practicing approximately five days a week three to five hours a day, with much of this time being spent at the court, gym and doing training drills outdoors.
“Right from the start, Eliot was always a very hard worker,” said Hirscht. “We worked and still train on all aspects of playing, including on the intricacies within each of the shots.”
Clearly, the dynamic between this duo has been palpable, especially in seeing Spizzirri’s remarkable success over the years.
At the same time, Hirscht also seems to have made an indelible mark on Spizzirri in terms of passing on vital life lessons to him, as well as all the information he has been teaching him in relation to tennis.
“Patrick has made such a huge impact on Eliot both as a person and tennis player, and he’s done such a tremendous amount for him over the years,” said Kenny. “He’s a great coach and an incredible mentor who has had such an impact on Eliot in so many ways.”
Meanwhile, by age 12, Spizzirri had developed so much in terms of his playing level he had started competing globally on the International Tennis Federation junior circuit.
In this arena, Spizzirri soon began to make his name as one of the sport’s young up and coming contenders, eventually achieving a top-20 ranking.
“Eliot learned so much during that time while playing and traveling around the world,” said Kenny. “It was such a turning point for him because he was exposed to so many new people, places and situations.”
During this time, Spizzirri had also decided to pursue home schooling in order to train on a full-time basis.
At this point, Spizzirri also started training at the U.S. Tennis Academy Billie Jean National Tennis Center in Queens, New York (site of the U.S. Open) while also working with Hirscht in Greenwich and Stamford.
During his run as a junior, Spizzirri accomplished a great deal, going on to win many major events, including the 2019 U.S. Open Junior Doubles title with his partner, Tyler Zink, among other impressive things.
A stellar college career followed by commencement of the ATP Tour
At age 17, Spizzirri subsequently went on to play tennis for the University of Texas, quickly establishing himself there as one of the team’s leaders.
At the University of Texas, Spizzirri achieved further success with his playing, achieving a number-one ITA national college singles ranking, among other notable things.
“Eliot had a great time playing at the University of Texas and everything there was all about a team dynamic, which he really enjoyed being part of and also learned a great deal from,” said Kenny. “The players always would look after and cheer one other on and they’re all good friends.”
Upon graduating from the University of Texas with honors as a business major last spring, Spizzirri in turn joined the celebrated ATP tour, a goal he’s always strived for and a pursuit he is thrilled about.
“It’s such an exciting time for Eliot. He’s jumped right into playing on the tour with such enthusiasm, appreciation, heart and determination, just as he’s done with everything else,” said Kenny. “It’s been wonderful to see him reach this level. He thrives on the idea of always growing, evolving and getting better at whatever he does, which is at the heart of everything.”
Thomas Blake, Spizzirri’s travel circuit coach, shared similar sentiments.
“There’s a reason athletes reach this level of play and it’s been great to work with Eliot. He’s got the talent, strength and personality to really thrive at this level,” said Blake who grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut and competed on the ATP tour. “He’s great, humble and driven and his playing is amazing. He’s able to take the ball early and his coordination is incredible, as is his hand/eye timing.”
Clearly, the ATP lifestyle seems to suit Spizzirri well, as he has been climbing through the ranks at an impressive pace in the few short months he has been part of this world-class circuit with a current ranking of 300.
“Eliot is just starting his career at this level and he’s got all the tools to prosper,” said Blake, who lives in Tampa, Florida. “He has such a presence and you can see people are drawn to him when he’s out there playing. It’s all really exciting.”
Since playing at the U.S. Open, Spizzirri has meanwhile been busy moving forward, playing in such cities as Las Vegas, Columbus, Ohio and Charleston, South Carolina and other locales.
In seeing of all this exciting activity in regard to Spizzirri, he certainly seems positioned to continue on a golden path, something that is a particularly exciting prospect for those following his journey here in Greenwich.
A bright future
“Eliot is someone who understands his goals and what it takes to get there. He also sees the large scheme of things and understands the importance of always staying true to himself and being humble,” said Kenny. “Tennis is Eliot’s passion, but ultimately, it’s all about being Eliot being the best he can be as he continues to grow and move forward with who he is as a person.”
Spizzirri’s father and coaches agreed.
“Eliot is living his dream and I think the best is coming,” said his dad. “And the fact that he is based here in Greenwich means so much to him in so many ways.”
Certainly, Greenwich has served as the springboard in so many ways for Spizzirri, as it continues to provide a bed rock in terms of his family, friends and community of supporters.
“Our family, especially Eliot and Nick, know they always have each other’s strengths to fall back on,” said Kenny. “They know when they’re on the court, they’re on the court, and know when they’re home, they’re home.”
Perhaps more apparent and inspirational than anything, is Spizzirri’s strength, determination, spirit and constitution, things that are uplifting for virtually anybody.
“Eliot has always trained hard ever since he was young to be the best he could be and he’s grown so much over the years,” said Hirscht. “It’s great to see him reach this stage and he’s right on the cusp of something pretty great. It’s all about believing in himself and using any hurdles as a strength and asset. I’m very proud of him.”
