Italian standout Arianna Zucchini will join Texas women’s tennis in fall 2026

GRADO, ITALY - MAY 22: Arianna Zucchini of Italy competes during the 2024 ITF World Tennis Tour W75 Grado at Tennis Club Grado on May 22, 2024 in Grado, Italy.(Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images for ITF) | Getty Images for ITF Bologna, Italy, native Arianna Zucchini signed with Texas women’s tennis this week.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Zucchini will join the program in the fall.

class="wp-block-paragraph">“I chose Texas because I know it’s the best place for me to keep developing my game and chasing my goals,” Zucchini told Texas Athletics. “More than that, I believe it’s where I’ll continue to grow as a person and make the most of every opportunity along the way. From the beginning, I felt the culture, energy, and commitment that the coaches, players, and staff bring every day. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get to Austin and be a part of something special!”

class="wp-block-paragraph">Head coach Howard Joffe expressed his enthusiasm for Zucchini’s addition, too.

class="wp-block-paragraph">“I’m delighted Arianna has chosen to come to Texas,” Joffe said. “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her on her visit and I can tell she is mature, highly intelligent and incredibly kind. I know she will profit from the experience and will be a big factor in our teams’ 2027 campaign.”

class="wp-block-paragraph">Zucchini maintains a decorated professional career as is. Her career-high Women’s Tennis Association ranking is 496, and she’s currently ranked No. 539. In doubles, she’s been ranked as high as No. 573, and she’s currently ranked No. 593.

class="wp-block-paragraph">As Texas Athletics wrote this week, “[Zucchini] has registered two career pro titles in singles, twice capturing the W15 Monastir in Tunisia in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, she also earned a singles main draw wild card to the WTA 1000 in Rome after winning a pre-qualifying tournament, along with reaching the singles final of a W35 in Monastir. In doubles, she recently reached the final of the W35 Bol in Croatia in May, and in 2025 advanced to the final of the W35 in Monastir.”