Interview with «Ben & Bec» team.

This interview with Doriano Beccaccioli and Davide Benussi we made in November 2018 but it is still actual and interesting. These guys are a favorite beach tennis men’s team of many people in the world I know. Their stars started to shine separately even before with more experienced partners. But 2 seasons of playing together turned them into one of the best teams in the world. 


How did you start to play beach tennis?


We started to play at the age 12-13 at the same Lido. And just from the beginning we were playing together. 


Who was your first coach?


Paolo Tazzari. But starting from this year we work with Alessio Chiodioni. 


At the beginning of your careers, you were a team, but then your ways got separated?


Benussi: Yes. After finishing school I needed a period without beach tennis. Meanwhile, Doriano started to play with Marko Garavini. After 5 or 6 months Alessio Chodioni asked me to play together. And in 2016 we reached the final of the World Championships in Cervia. But at the end of the year, I returned to play with Doriano and now Alessio is our coach. So it is a beautiful story.



How do you feel about your WC final with Chiodioni that literally surprised everyone?


Benussi: I think this was the onliest time in history when the team from qualification reached the final. And I was extremely happy. 



Doriano, what did you learn playing with Garavini?


Beccaccioli: Firstly, I was very proud to play with him. He was one of my coaches in Beach Tennis School so I was very excited to play with Marko. Together we won a lot of tournaments and my first G1 in Terracina.


How did you start to play together again?


Benussi: It is an interesting story that none of us asked another. in September 2016 after the tournament in Terracina we went to the restaurant together with Giancarlo de Risi. And finished dinner with a new partner in the future. Our first tournament together was in Aruba. 


What do you like about your partner?


Becccaccioli: he has a good defense.

Benussi: He is a good friend. 


What you do when you loose a match?


Benussi: I need to stay alone. I dont need Doriano.

Beccaccioli: Yeah when I loose I don’t want to see my partner. Anyone but him. 

Are you friends off the court?


Beccaccioli: No, only on the court. 

Benussi: Yeah, Doriano always stays with a phone.

Well, of course we are friends. We train together, travel together and stay together all day every day.



People call you «Ben & Bec» how this nicknames were invented?


Beccaccioli: It was an idea of Claudio Ferrari, he makes a Pina Pina beach village brand. 


What is your dream as a team?


Beccaccioli: To win World Championship and become the best team in the world.