Daniel Panajotti

I trained at the Tandil tennis school alongside names such as Pérez Roldán, Franco Davín, Mariano Zabaleta, and Juan Mónaco — whom I was the first tennis coach of — as well as Juan Martín del Potro, the most well-known. I was the coach of Francesca Schiavone, Roland Garros champion, whom I trained for eight years, as well as Italy's María Elena Camerin and Switzerland's Emmanuelle Gagliardi. I also coached Croatian player Viktor Galović, who won the Davis Cup in 2018 with Team Croatia.

I have spent more than forty years in professional tennis. I met Rafael Font de Mora in January 2003 in Canberra during a WTA tournament. I was coaching Francesca Schiavone, who was playing the final against Meghann Shaughnessy. Rafa was there with his player, and from the very first moment we connected naturally because we shared a very similar vision of tennis: hard work, discipline, seriousness, and always maintaining a positive and constructive attitude.

Over the years, between 2003 and 2007, our paths crossed many times on the tour — in Scottsdale, for example, and in many other tournaments. We had hundreds of opportunities to talk, reflect together, and compare ideas, and from every conversation with Rafa I always took away something valuable for my own work.

I have seen Rafa work closely for many years. He is an excellent coach: competent, methodical, and passionate. His athletes have always achieved great results, and what has impressed me most is his energy, his sense of responsibility, and his respect for everyone — players, WTA officials, and colleagues. I have experienced this firsthand.

Many people have always told me, and still tell me: "Daniel, you're a tennis coach — you're always on vacation, staying in luxury hotels, traveling the world." And I have always responded the same way: the reality is completely different. Being a coach on the professional circuit is a job of enormous responsibility. When the player wins, the credit is theirs — that's how it is for the press and the fans. But when they lose, the blame falls on the coach. I have always accepted that, because that is the nature of this job.

Discipline, as I mentioned before — what does it really mean? It is the consistent effort applied every single day. It is the foundation of everything. Every day, the athlete and their team — coach, physical trainer — must make the effort to improve, to prepare, to win. Without discipline, nothing can be achieved.

When I met Francesca Schiavone in 2002, the first thing she told me was: "My dream is to win Roland Garros." In 2010, she achieved it. But I know very well how much effort, how many tears, and how many sacrifices it took to reach that moment. Nothing comes by chance.

Rafael Font de Mora understands this deeply. I have seen him live it every day.

This year, fate brought us back together, and from that came a project that fills me with motivation. Very soon we will begin a tennis project in Spain. Imagine two coaches with real experience on the WTA and ATP circuits, sharing a common vision and strong values. Together, we have trained and developed a significant number of professional players. The potential we have together is enormous.

For me, working alongside Rafa is a huge source of motivation. I am convinced that together we will achieve great things.

I have spent more than four decades in this sport. I have seen a lot, and I can say with complete conviction and from my personal experience: Rafael Font de Mora is an honest, passionate, and respectful professional.

That is how I know him.

Thank you.