Andrea Binaghi, who has headed the Italian tennis federation (FITP) since 2001, pointed to reforms over the last 10-15 years to decentralise the coaching system and offer more financial, technical and psychological support to young talent.
Pedro Ibarra and Agustin Alejandro Mazzilli scored two goals as Pan-American champions Argentina bounced back from a half-time deficit to trounce Malaysia 5-2 and top Pool B in the Champions Challenge hockey in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Argentina shrugged off the injury absence of Lionel Messi to launch their Copa America Centenario campaign with a 2-1 defeat of defending champions Chile in Santa Clara, United States on Monday. Goals from Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega secured a deserved three points for Argentina, who exacted sweet revenge for their defeat to the Chileans in last year's Copa America final. Chile substitute Jose Fuenzalida scored an injury time consolation for the holders. The Argentines will now be firm favorites to progress to the quarter-finals as Group D winners with games against Panama and Bolivia to come. Injured Argentina captain Messi watched from the substitutes' bench at Levi's Stadium after failing to recover in time from a sore back suffered in a friendly win over Honduras last month. But the Barcelona superstar's absence was barely noticeable, with Nicolas Gaitan slotting into Argentina's attack and making an instant impression, hitting the woodwork with a header after only two minutes.
The Indian men's hockey team bounced back with a comfortable win over Argentina in the FIH Hockey Pro League.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Argentina beat Belgium 4-2 to claim the Olympic title and win their country's first Games medal in men's hockey, edging a close-fought match between two teams few expected to make the final.
They were two small Argentina players with the same enormous challenge -- to meet the expectations of a soccer-mad country. Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have both proved themselves to be skilful giants on the world soccer stage despite their diminutive frames of 1.65 and 1.70 metres respectively.
Three years ago, India returned from Tokyo with seven medals, and it is only natural that a double-digit performance is now desired in Paris.
Aimar and Tevez add to Crespo's brace to give the South Americans a 4-1 win.
Lionel Messi marked his retirement about face with a goal to give 10-man Argentina a 1-0 win over Uruguay on Thursday that lifted them to the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
Argentina are odds-on favourites to win the Copa America for the first time since 1993 by beating Chile in Saturday's final.
Olympic gold medal-winning coach Sergio Batista was confirmed as expected on Tuesday to succeed Diego Maradona as Argentina's coach until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Al-Nassr last week cancelled their two-game China tour due to the absence of the 38-year-old Ronaldo.
'I hope Lionel Messi gets a little percentage of the shirt sales because I've never seen so many Argentine number 10 shirts in my life!'
Erling Haaland helped Manchester City win three major trophies.
Lionel Messi at last came into his own at the Copa America as Argentina beat a defensive Costa Rica 3-0 with two goals from Sergio Aguero to secure second place in Group A on Monday.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has been left out of the Argentina squad for the crucial World Cup qualifier clash against Brazil to be held at the Mineirao Stadium later this evening. The 28-year-old has been struggling with form in his recent international appearances including missing a penalty for Argentina during their 0-1 defeat at the hands of Paraguay in their last outing.
A round-up Wednesday's football news on and off the field.
Argentina beat Venezuela 2-0 away in their World Cup qualifying match.
The AFA thanked 58-year-old Sampaoli and his assistants, who have also left their positions, for their services.
Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti and Gabriel Milito will make their Argentina comebacks against world champions Spain in a friendly at the River Plate stadium on Tuesday.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka beat Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima 6-2 6-2 under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Thursday to move into the French Open third round.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup Group D match played between Argentina and Iceland at Kazan Stadium on Saturday
Hundreds of Argentines protested in the pouring rain on Saturday, demanding that soccer star Lionel Messi return to Argentina's national team after he unexpectedly quit following a loss in the regional Copa America final.
Diego Maradona's contract as national team coach has not been renewed by the Argentine Football Association (AFA), AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis Bialo said
India wasted a dozen penalty-corners before going down 1-2 in a crucial match of the Champions Challenge men's hockey tournament.
Give us your take on Wednesday's games in the World Cup!
Injured Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela on Tuesday with a groin problem.
Germany must beware of Argentina's attempts to provoke them during Saturday's World Cup quarter-final, German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi is not only Argentina's key attacking threat but he is also instrumental in helping the defence.
champions Argentina have suffered an ignominious early exit from the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Diego Maradona could take over as coach following the 2006 World Cup, Argentina Football Association president Julio Grondona said.
The South Americans beat China for their second straight victory in the tournament.
Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-2 via penalties to enter the final of the World Cup on Wednesday. The teams were goalless at the end of 120 minutes, and extra-time in the second semi-final.
Lionel Messi, who turns 23 on Thursday, captained his country for the first time on Tuesday and gave another virtuoso performance as Argentina beat Greece 2-0 to reach the second round of the World Cup.
The South Americans beat Tunisia 2-1 in the opening match of the Confederations Cup football tournament.
Four years after his miss in a penalty shootout sent Argentina spinning out of the Copa America, Carlos Tevez slammed home the winning spot kick against Colombia to book his country's place in this year's semi-finals.
Germany thrashed Argentina 4-0 with a sparkling display of attacking football on Saturday to book their spot in the World Cup last four.
Lionel Messi became Argentina's youngest World Cup captain when he led his country for the first time two days before his 23rd birthday against Greece in Group B on Tuesday.
The G20 leaders will deliberate on pressing global issues at the grouping's annual summit here on September 9 and 10. India is hosting the summit in its capacity as the current G20 chair.