Gianni Racanelli '25 Recruiting Profile

My name is Gianni Racanelli.  I have been playing tennis and participating in lessons for as long as I can remember.  Tennis runs deep in my family.  The first gift I remember receiving was a racket from my grandparents.  My Uncle played tennis in college, and currently coaches high school tennis on the east coast.  I’ve always looked up to him because he helped me realize my love for the sport and my drive to perfect my game.  I love that tennis is a lifelong sport and have many memories of holidays together on the courts with my family.

I am currently a junior at Rockford Christian High School in Rockford, Illinois.  I am a multi-sport athlete (football, basketball, tennis).  However, tennis season allows me to dominate individually for singles, showcase leadership during doubles, utilize my control and patience, and enjoy placing the perfect shot.  My first year of high school, I played varsity as the only freshman on a team of upperclassmen.  I play both singles and doubles, however I enjoy the strategy with a partner and love a good setup for a kill shot.  As a sophomore, I led my partner through sectionals and made it to state.  My current goal is to establish myself as a solid competitor at the state level.  I have had the honor and privilege of being team captain for the past two years. This role has allowed me to encourage high standards, give technical guidance, and overall lead by example.  Surprisingly, this role has benefited me at times more than I ever expected.  As a leader, focusing on others allowed me to grow and realize my own potential.  It taught me to be self-aware and stressed the importance of being able to adapt and flex in many situations. Being transparent also allowed me to admit mistakes, ask for forgiveness and make bad situations right.  These “failures” aren’t a sign of weakness but a true strength that I can grow and cultivate going forward.

Performance on and off the court is equally important to me.  I am in numerous honors classes / clubs.  I strive to succeed in everything I do.  I aim to utilize my abilities in every opportunity presented to me. I am excited for my next step into college life.  My love for tennis is so strong, I am not ready to give up the competitive game.  I would love an opportunity to join a team and showcase my talent at the collegiate level.  I think this would be a great chance to connect with fellow classmates and rally school spirit. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.  I look forward to seeing if I am a good fit for your program.  

Sincerely, 

Gianni Racanelli