On Sunday, September 7, while the US Open final was taking place in New York—which unfortunately did not see Italy emerge victorious—House of Made in Italy still chose to celebrate Italian tennis with the event “Game, Set, Italy,” hosted at the Columbus Citizens Foundation. The evening turned sporting disappointment into an occasion for pride and sharing, intertwining sports, gastronomy, and culture in a narrative that highlighted Italian identity.
The protagonist of the evening was Stefano Meloccaro, a well-known Sky Sport journalist, who, through his presentation “From Panatta to Sinner,” guided the audience on a journey through the history of Italian tennis: from the legendary achievements of the 1970s to the recent successes of Jannik Sinner. The presentation successfully combined sports and cultural identity, demonstrating how the victories of Italian champions have helped spread the values and style of Made in Italy around the world.
To celebrate the great figures of tennis, two gourmet creations were also presented: the Amatriciana pizza dedicated to Adriano Panatta, created by master pizzaiolo Roberto Caporuscio as a tribute to the champion’s Roman roots, and the Roman pinsa dedicated to Jannik Sinner, crafted by Cristian Petitta, enriched with Alta Badia cheese, Speck Alto Adige PGI, arugula, walnuts, green apple, mountain honey, and sweet chili. The dishes were accompanied by a glass of Prosecco DOC, also served in an alcohol-free version, in keeping with the sporting context.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came with Meloccaro’s announcement: the racket autographed by Sinner during the 2024 US Open final will be auctioned during the Columbus Day celebrations, as highlighted by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Carmen Damiani Hacker, thus becoming a symbol of sporting passion and national pride.
The event concluded with a convivial moment, during which guests could converse, experiment with new gastronomic pairings, and share reflections in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
With Game, Set, Italy, House of Made in Italy continues its cultural program, which will enliven New York with events, meetings, and activities promoting Italian culture in all its forms until July 2026. The project aims to serve as a concrete bridge between Italy and the United States, strengthening the cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
House of Made in Italy is a project by I Love Italian Food and the Columbus Citizens Foundation, realized with the patronage of Italian Trade Agency and ENIT, and with the support of Coldiretti and Filiera Italia.
Sponsors: Agriform, Mulino Caputo, Casa Modena, Ciao Il Pomodoro di Napoli, Filicori Zecchini, Acetaia Giusti, Granterre, Lurisia, Monini, Parmareggio, Effeuno, Il Newyorkese, Marino PR, La Gazzetta dello Sport, and Istituto 100% Italiano.
Event sponsors: Di Marco e Mionetto.
