The Marco Trungelliti story of World Tennis is one of those feel good stories that puts a different perspective on the sport in general.
While the legends of tennis such as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic surpass the $100,000,000 mark in prize money, the battlers of the sport put a different spin on it, pardon the pun.
Marco Trungelliti just sent Bernard Tomic packing from the first round in Paris and let's face it, the Argentinian really shouldn't have been there in the first place. Hubert Herkazc of Poland, ranked 2 places below Marco at a lowly 188 broke Marco's heart at 6-4 in the third set in the final round of the Mens Qualification event.
Marco drove back to his base in Barcelona.
Marco then got a call from the French Open Organizers.
Marco, how would you like to take Nick's place ?
Marco drove 1000 kms back to Paris.
Marco beat Tomic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
In Barletta, Italy in April this year Marco won eight matches in just over a week, including three qualification victories to claim the Challenger event which netted him a rather modest sum of just over $6,000 Euros.
Tough way to make a living.
For making the second round at Roland Garros this year Marco is guaranteed of at least $79,000 Euros, or in Aussie Dollars, around $120,000.
That 1000 km trip from Barcelona probably cost a few Euros in fuel. He should now be able to afford a flight back to Barcelona when his time is up in Paris.
We often hear of the 'glamour' life of tennis and the millions that the top echelon of players rake in each year with their fast cars and luxury villas overlooking the Mediterranean, but this story is probably more in tune with how the Tennis World really works.
It's not an easy sport to make a Euro or two out of.
Perseverance, an ounce of luck and a big heart may just get you that break you are looking for in a sport that offers a one in a million success rate,
Marco Trungelliti is a 'millionaire' tonight.
Well played Marco..........
**** For the record, Kyrgios actually picked up $20,000 Euros for not turning up, while Marco took home the other half, so doing the sums on all of that, Marco is still around $100,000 Aussie Dollars richer.*******
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