MELBOURNE: Italian Lorenzo Sonego is the first ever tennis player to reach a grand slam quarter final, while also having one million streams on Spotify.
The 29-year-old defeated American teen Learner Tien in a four set thriller – 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 – at John Cain Arena on Monday afternoon, setting up a spot in the Australian Open quarter finals.
But it’s what he does away from tennis that has caused this hilarious cross over.
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Sonego has nearly 3000 monthly listeners, with his song “Un solo secondo”, that came out in 2021, having over 1.5 million streams on the music app.
His next best is song “SWING”, with over 57,000 listens.
Lorenzo Sonego of Italy celebrates a point against Learner Tien in their fourth round match. Getty
Sonego had little trouble overcoming the 19-year-old American in their fourth round clash, staking his claim with a convincing first set win.
-It was much of the same in the second set, with Tien’s back against the wall as he struggled with injury.
The American received treatment on his hamstring, heading back into the third set with a heavily strapped leg.
After that pain seemed to subside, the 19-year-old went on to force the match to a fourth set, taking the third 6-3.
But that fourth set well and truly belonged to Sonego, who cruised to the finish line, sealing it 6-1.
Sonego heads to a maiden quarter finals appearance.
And while celebrations ensued for the Italian, it was only when an X user revealed his double life as a successful musician that the interest grew.
“Needs to work on his tennis game … to beat that record!,” one X user said.
Sonego hit 20 aces and 57 winners to keep his hopes of a maiden slam title alive.
