Federico Delbonis, the Davis Cup champion who saw Mastantuono play: "He had an impressive forehand, but it wouldn't have convinced him to continue playing tennis."

“There's Delbonis,” says a mother waiting for her son outside the Inmaculada Concepción school in Azul. “Yes, yes, your children attend this school,” adds another mother on the sidewalk on Colón Street. And indeed, he was. Parked in his electric blue SUV was the former tennis player who gave Argentina the victory point to win its first Davis Cup in history against Croatia in Zagreb in 2016. And when this reporter and the newspaper's photographer approached, he rolled down the window and opened the door of his vehicle without any problems. He greeted them cordially and mentioned that he was waiting for his children, while engaging in a conversation about how Franco Mastantuono was revolutionizing Azul. “I'll wait for you,” he said, before leaving with his family, after arranging a meeting with Clarín at his home.

And after some back and forth over schedules due to his children's activities, the meeting takes place at snack time. Mate, cookies, hot chocolate, and juice are on the kitchen table. His wife, Virginia, says hello, and his sons, Mateo (5) and Simón (2), pass by the house playing with another child friend. The girl, Celina (11), was engaged in an activity. On TV, Barcelona and Inter are killing each other with goals for the Champions League. And after agreeing to the interview, Delbonis changes his shirt and invites us into the living room, where he arranges the armchair to sit, amid a tranquility that contrasts with the frenetic memories of his life as a tennis player and his travels around the world.

"I'm happy with my post-retirement life. I've been home a lot lately, doing things I haven't been able to do in my 15-year career, like living the daily life of the kids and my wife, which I enjoy because I didn't do it before. And I'm starting a second phase with everything that entails, with responsibilities, with a different kind of adventure, a phase in which I'm rediscovering myself because I always knew what to do, and now I have to figure out what I'm going to do within tennis," said Delbonis, who at 34 now enjoys the time he has to, for example, prepare a barbecue at home for his friends on a weekday, as would happen a few hours after the interview.

-So you're going to stay involved in tennis...

Yes, I'm going to stay involved in tennis. I have several projects underway that fill me with strength and enthusiasm. I'm going to start traveling to coach kids who are entering the professional ranks. Right now, that's what I enjoy, but this could change in the future because I'm still very young and many things could change. But for now, I'm very happy with this stage I'm about to embark on.

-And what about exhibition matches? Could new events like those with Del Potro and Djokovic emerge?

-The opportunity arose to work with Juan Martín and Novak, and that exhibition was a new and exciting challenge. I'd never been on that side of the court before; I'd always been on the field, and now it was my turn to be off it. These are new things that I'm experiencing, and they're giving me experience.

-What do you think about the current state of Argentine tennis?

I think Fran Cerúndolo is doing very well. He's the standard-bearer of Argentine tennis today. He has incredible tennis, spectacular shots, and if he can get that head on track, there's no limit. He could be at the top. He obviously has to keep working; he's a very healthy kid, and I want to watch him, to support him, just like there are others. (Francisco) Comesaña, who's just getting into the swing of things, Tomy Etcheverry, who might not be having the best of times, but he has the tennis to turn this around.

-Can we soon think of a new generation that will be talked about?

-I think there's already a new generation, with six or seven players in the top 100, and as many more who are on their way to entering the top 200...Argentina is always the talk of the town in tennis. There's always an Argentine tennis player who makes the news, and that fills us with pride.

And how do you see the Argentine Davis Cup team?

Anything can happen, but the Davis Cup is a strange format I can't quite figure out, and it's full of surprises. On one hand, that's good, but I'm not entirely convinced by the fact that it's being played in just one place. I thought it would be good, but I was wrong. I was in favor of making changes, but they didn't work out, and the Davis Cup has lost a lot of its spirit since it's been played in just one place. When it was home and away, it was totally different, more beautiful. And let's hope it gets back on track to what it was. And that it's similar to the era when I played.

And what memories come to mind from the Davis Cup you won?

Many, but the Davis Cup we won is now a lasting memory. Obviously, every time I'm reminded of it is a beautiful thing, especially around the time of our trophy. That's when more people remind you of it, or more videos show you or tell you about the things that happened that day. It will be a memory that will remain in my mind and everywhere. Thank God, I will have that, and it will never be lost.

-And especially what happened in Azul with the welcome they gave you...

-What I experienced here in Azul was tremendous. They welcomed me by fire truck... At first, I didn't want to go through that reception because I had a vacation planned with my family, but they agreed, and they were right. And what can I say to the people in the area where I grew up? They welcome you and embrace you just as much as they did that day, and they still do. The people of Azul are super friendly and very receptive because of what I've experienced and what they continue to inspire in me because of it.

-How do you analyze the current turnover on the tennis circuit?

-The truth is that one refused or refused to think that this generational change was going to happen, but naturally it was going to happen. Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) are gone, and let's hope (Novak) Djokovic can hold on for a couple more years as long as he feels like winning Grand Slams, because that's what keeps him alive on the circuit these days. And when he retires and the years go by, everything they did will be valued much more. And thank God we now have these two phenomena, Alcaraz and Sinner. I have a huge soft spot for Alcaraz. When he manages to transmit that joy on the court, he's a player who has no weaknesses. In those moments, he stands out. He can counterattack, play quickly, go to the net, he can pull a nest out of your hat, he's charismatic, he does almost everything super well, he's a player I would pay a ticket for. I would go see it and sit for five hours like I did with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

-Are Alcaraz and Sinner going to make their mark on this generation?

-I think Alcaraz and Sinner are going to mark this generation. It's always difficult to post a role for someone who was very important in a sport, because of the nicknames they give each other and they're very difficult, but I think each one has their own mark, and both Carlos (Alcaraz), who has his own charismatic identity, and Sinner, who plays an impeccable game. I think both are going to mark an era and we have to enjoy it. It's going to be different. The public was used to seeing the other monsters, but that's over now, and I think eras change, and each one has its own uniqueness.

-What do you think about Sinner's doping?

-Sinner's doping issue was confirmed, but I don't have the details because I don't follow the day-to-day tennis to say anything or give an opinion. It was confirmed that he didn't intentionally take the substance, so he's been given a penalty because it was in his body, and he'll have to deal with that pressure and be more cautious with everything he ingests, knowing that the eye of the storm will be on him in every single case.

Which players you played tennis with would you invite over for a barbecue or sit down with for a drink?

-With Leo Mayer and Facu Bagnis, who are two great friends of mine. With Facu, because we've known each other since we were 12, and Leo Mayer and I experienced a lot together, and our families are also very close. We have a great relationship. In fact, Leo's wife is godmother to my middle son. We have other things in common, other ties outside of tennis, and things that will remain with him after retirement. I'm friends with almost all of them. I don't have a bad relationship with anyone, but I have more affinity with those two and can talk about things that I find a little more difficult with others.

-Has competition never mixed with friendship?

"Luckily, I was able to navigate the competition and friendship well. I never had any problems with anyone, and I can sit down and have a coffee with most of the people I'm in contact with. Obviously, there are people who, whether it's due to language or a lack of affinity, don't connect, but I could connect with almost everyone and share a meal. From that perspective, I didn't let the spark or any little problem I might have had on the tennis court go out the window. It always stayed there, on the court."

-How are you experiencing the revolution that Franco Mastantuono generated in Azul?

The city and its people are happy about all this about Franco Mastantuono, and he deserves it. He's a healthy young man, who's experiencing the beginning of a career that, if he takes advantage of it, could yield many benefits. And what's happening to him makes me very happy, first because he identifies with football, which I really enjoy playing, and because a young man from Azul can be on the front page and have major objectives for the future. It's something the city should take full advantage of, harnessing those values ​​and trying to exploit them to the fullest so that stars emerge not only in sports but in all areas. Because Azul has to exploit all areas, and thanks to what Franco is doing, there are things that should begin to surface in the city.

-Do you know Franco personally?

-I know Franco, and his entourage too, and he has great human qualities.

Did you see him at the rowing club when he played tennis? Would you have tried to convince him to stick with the racket?

I didn't get to see him play tennis much because when he was starting out, I was focused on my professional career and traveling. But I remember someone sent me a video back then, and I was really struck by his forehand. It was impressive. I still don't think I would have convinced him to continue playing tennis. I know he enjoyed both sports, but that decision was very personal, and I'm just as happy with the decision he made because he chose what he wanted, and it's paying off.

-Is there any kind of relationship between both sports?

When you play one sport and then go on to play another, you have a certain advantage in movement, in body coordination, whatever the sport. Beyond the fact that soccer is played with your feet and tennis with your hands, in tennis you also have to use your feet to move. It's also clear that he has innate ability. I think he's a very intelligent kid who's growing at a very good pace, at just 17 years old playing for a team like River, with a lot of chances for everything. I don't want to limit him to one thing or give him a nickname, but he has a promising future, and it makes me happy because he, his family, and those around him deserve it. I value these people a lot, and I'm glad these things are happening to them.

-Did tennis give you the hunger for competitiveness?

Tennis certainly gave him that competitiveness. He's a born competitor; you can see it in his attitude. Anyone who follows his career sees a lot of progress in a short amount of time. And you see him improving very quickly. It's striking how he responds.

"He'll set his own ceiling. He always sets it, and everyone can fly on their own. It would be disrespectful of me to say what his ceiling is or if he doesn't have one. Everyone chooses what they want for their life, for their career, and whatever ceiling they set for themselves will be fine. He'll soon turn 18, and he'll decide for himself. It's a big responsibility, but a beautiful one at the same time."

-Do you see him in Europe soon?

-Wherever he goes, or if he decides to stay a while longer, it will be the best thing for him. What I would like to see is him wearing the national team jersey, and for a native of Azul to return to the Argentine national team, as Matías Almeyda did. It would be wonderful.