Currently ranked No. 95 in the ATP Rankings, the left-hander has Fujin, the Japanese god of wind, tattooed on one upper arm and Raijin, the god of thunder, on the other. As Bellucci prepares for one of the biggest matches of his campaign at Flushing Meadows, the artwork has become another distinctive feature of the Italian\u2019s presence on court.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey are just typical Japanese tattoos,\u201d Bellucci told ATPTour.com. \u201cI really like the Japanese culture and Japanese tattoos. So two years ago I started doing some lines, and now I\u2019m trying to fill them up with some colour,\u201d Bellucci said. \u201cIt obviously takes some time because I\u2019m travelling a lot and they are in a position where I cannot fill them up very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bellucci\u2019s interest in the artwork was strengthened by his affection for Japan and its street culture. A particular moment during his first visit to the country eventually helped turn an idea into a permanent addition to his arms. \u201cI still didn\u2019t have the tattoo,\u201d Bellucci said. \u201cSo I was thinking about it, and I said, \u2018I need to do it\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Italian first competed at the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo in September 2024 and returned later that year to play three ATP Challenger events in Japan. He subsequently began the tattooing process in Milan and hopes to complete the artwork when his schedule allows.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTattoos and also some art and stuff like that (are) some things that (make me) passionate a little bit,\u201d Bellucci said. \u201cSo I\u2019m quite happy to have on my skin something particular that I like and yeah, hopefully I\u2019m going to finish it soon.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For the moment, however, Bellucci\u2019s attention will be firmly on the challenge awaiting him in New York.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The four-time ATP Challenger titlist faces Fritz in their second tour-level meeting, having pushed the American all the way in Stuttgart earlier this year before eventually losing 5-7, 7-5, 7-5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI had to do an amazing performance, and I couldn\u2019t get the win,\u201d Bellucci said. \u201cBut hopefully the next one is going to be even better. I\u2019ll try to play my best tennis, and let\u2019s see how it goes. I\u2019m in the U.S., I\u2019m playing an American guy, and I can\u2019t wait for it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A victory would send Bellucci into the third round of the US Open for the first time, adding another chapter to his growing experience of competing on tennis\u2019s biggest stages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New York is already familiar territory for the Italian when it comes to high-profile encounters. Last year, he came up against eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, an experience Bellucci believes helped deepen his understanding of what it takes to compete against the sport\u2019s elite.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A victory would send Bellucci into the third round of the US Open for the first time, adding another chapter to his growing experience of competing on tennis\u2019s biggest stages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Fujin and Raijin accompanying him on court, Bellucci will now hope the next big moment of his US Open journey brings a different result as he looks to challenge one of the home favourites under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n