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The Makings of Filipino Tennis Champ Niño Alcantara

Without losing sight of love and his career goals, Filipino professional tennis player Niño Alcantara is greeting 2024 with only one objective in mind: to make it t

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Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/2cec46c5-6259-45c7-97d0-71c783c9f192_0 niño alcantara on metro man 9.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino tennis player Nino Alcantara for Metro Man"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">On Niño: Shirt by Uniqlo and jacket by Thom Browne at Univers in Greenbelt<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Photography by Patrick Diokno  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><strong>Niño Alcantara</strong>’s tennis training transpired earlier than expected, starting the sport at six and taking refuge in a tennis court across his childhood home. Niño hails from a family who had a flair for sports. “So all my siblings, we all play tennis. Our dad taught us when we were super young, ’cause our house is right in front of a tennis court,” he shared with <strong>Metro.Style</strong>. </p><div><br/></div><p>Ever since, Niño’s father has been his first mentor—the very man he wanted to emulate. His will was a byproduct of his early memories with his dad, who was also determined in getting him into the game. “He passed away when I was 10 years old and then from then on, all he wanted for me to achieve was to get a scholarship in Manila—a tennis scholarship,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><p>“And then luckily, I did get a scholarship but in the US so I think—I hope—he’ll be really proud of me and my brothers as well,” Niño continued, telling us how his career as an athlete came about. “I moved here in Manila when I was 12. From then on, it’s been a roller coaster ride; it’s been fun—lots of ups and downs. But mostly, I’m having fun and I’m enjoying the sport and that’s why I’m still playing ’til now.”</p><div><br/></div><p>An all-around sportsman, Niño’s pit stops range from basketball to badminton and billiards. As he was raised in an athletic household, he actively engaged in adrenaline-pumping activities. Ideally, he would have played wild in basketball, too, but his humble height insists otherwise. At 5’9”, he imagines himself below the benchmark, hence his hesitation.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Basketball was kind of tough for me ’cause I’m not the tallest guy out there, so that’s probably why I picked tennis over basketball,” he shared. “Tennis?  It’s an individual sport. I can control everything compared to basketball. It’s a team sport. You know, it’s harder for me and I said earlier, I’m not the tallest guy out there. So I think tennis best suits me,” Niño reiterated, making sense of his moves.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/84a5dc63-d14e-4603-acef-520a5c5ed500_0 niño alcantara on metro man 11.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino tennis player Nino Alcantara for Metro Man"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">On Niño: Shirt by Uniqlo, jacket and pants by Thom Browne at Univers in Greenbelt, and shoes by Loro Piana</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>To catapult Niño’s sports career to an all-new, he crossed paths with advanced level, long-time tennis patron <strong>Romeo Chan</strong>. At 12, when Niño was taking on an international tournament at Capitol Commons in Pasig, he was scouted by Romeo, who was subtly watching from the background, witnessing Niño’s every smash and serve.</p><div><br/></div><p>“It was ATF 14 and Under Asia and I was a wild card. So [a] wild card is given to [the] best local players and I was probably the best local player at the time. They gave it to me and, luckily, I won the whole tournament,” Niño explained, reliving the experience. “So Mr. Chan was there. He was watching my matches from [the] first round to the finals but he didn’t tell me who he was. He was just like a fan at the time, you know? So for me, it was no pressure.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Romeo Chan turned out to be Niño’s ticket to the world of tennis, and without his presence at the time, the party might have not made it to another tennis affair. After the tournament, Niño was taken aback, saying, “After I won the tournament, he introduced himself. The rest was history.”</p><div><br/></div><p>It was in Pasig where Niño was poached from his nonchalant state, nesting him to be prepared for bigger ambitions ahead. “When I was 12 years old, there was a tournament here in Manila. They used to have a tennis court there. I don’t think it’s there anymore. So... I played an international tournament there,” he declared as he took a trip down memory lane.</p><div><br/></div><p>The man was no newbie to the terrain, but was taking baby steps as he navigated an entirely new extension of his talent—a home in Manila, his training, a coaching staff, a cozy lodging, and food—paid in full. For the love of sports, Niño didn’t have to spend a dime in moving in. He just had to make a decision.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/7c3be582-c176-4c60-82a8-2139c2d7d419_0 niño alcantara on metro man 2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino tennis player Nino Alcantara for Metro Man"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">On Niño: Shirt by Fred Perry</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“A week after, he (Romeo Chan) went to CDO [Cagayan de Oro] to meet with my mom. So we were having lunch at this golf course in CDO and we’re just talking there and he asked me, ‘Do you want to be #1 in the world?’ And I was like, ‘Is this a joke?’” Niño narrated, scoffing at the mention of the most successful netter that will become of him. At the time, he was an innocent teen who implored to graduate from high school in his hometown. </p><div><br/></div><p>“I didn’t know anything about the tennis world so I was kind of shocked and like, ‘Yeah, sure, why not?’ Then, I didn’t know he was that serious at the time! He offered me to live with him in Manila. But then, I didn’t want to do it because I want to graduate in CDO—in Xavier University [Ateneo de Cagayan]. So we kind of had a deal with the school <em>na</em>.”</p><div><br/></div><p>With a notebook on one hand and a tennis racket on the other, Niño felt overwhelmed. He was racking trophies from here on out while negotiating a school schedule he can truly manage despite his tennis duties. It was sure a tough start for Niño to keep everything at bay, but thankfully, his friends and colleagues helped him ease into the changes and adjustments.</p><div><br/></div><p>Niño shared, “The principal? They were very helpful. The teachers as well. So while I was in Manila, I was doing home school from CDO. I’d only go back for exams in CDO, which was weird for a high school student at the time. Home school wasn’t a big thing yet then, but I think I made it possible [with all the help].”</p><div><br/></div><p>Entering the wider world that is global tennis used to grapple with Niño’s academic aspirations, but being a big catch, he was bound to go to greater lengths. “So my college coach in the US always tells me this: ‘School first; tennis second.’ Did you see that? School first; tennis second.’ He was my college coach. So tennis is always going to be there but he wants us to get a degree.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/c7ace1e3-477f-48c8-8b5d-0d7af5af3976_0 niño alcantara on metro man 7.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino tennis player Nino Alcantara for Metro Man"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">On Niño: Shirt and button-down by Fred Perry</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Scoring a full scholarship abroad is not anybody’s luck, but Niño seems to belong with the few fellows who are destined for greatness. Despite second thoughts and struggles, though, he came up with a solid choice. “We can do whatever with our career after, but I wanted to play professional tennis so I picked [the] tennis route instead of my academic route.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Niño’s determination and lofty dreams resulted in titles after titles and recognitions from across the tennis arena. Today, he is currently at his career’s highest ranking, holding the 210th spot in the world. “My goal for next year is to play [in] the <strong>Paris Olympics</strong>. I just have to get to 150, 160, so I have 50, 60 more spots to go. I know it does seem a lot but for us, we have to play as many tournaments as possible until June, July before the deadline of the cut for the Olympics draw.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Specializing in doubles, Niño has been decorating his merit board with medals from prestigious tennis tournaments. He is the 2009 Champion at the <strong>Australian Open</strong>; a two-time Gold, two-time Silver, and two-time Bronze prizewinner at <strong>SEA Games. </strong>Niño also represented the country in the <strong>French Open</strong>, <strong>US Open</strong>, and <strong>Wimbledon</strong> juniors. And recently, racked Bronze at <strong>Asian Games</strong> 2023 in China with partner player <strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/inspiring-stories/alex-eala-first-filipino-to-win-junior-grand-slam/33724" target="_blank">Alex Eala</a></strong>. He makes a force out of himself, smashing grand slams with his right hand and resoluteness.</p><div><br/></div><p>Born Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara, the <strong>Cagayan de Oro City</strong> native is breaking records by receiving at least five <strong>International Tennis Federation (ITF)</strong> titles, a SEA Games Gold, and an Asian Games Bronze—all this 2023. </p><div><br/></div><p>But apart from being the Philippines’ cream of the crop in tennis and a multifaceted titleholder, off-court, Niño is a completely different personality. He is down for something as simple as a movie marathon, a date with his fiancée, or a duel with his funny friend and social media star <strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/celebrities/10-things-we-love-about-nico-bolzico/10695" target="_blank">Nico Bolzico</a></strong>. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/82f18692-8751-4f69-9458-16e7d7a736b1_0 niño alcantara on metro man 1.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino tennis player Nino Alcantara for Metro Man"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">On Niño: Button-down by Fred Perry and shorts by Uniqlo</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“Right now, I like beating Nico Bolzico at padel (tennis). So that’s one of my hobbies,” he quipped. “[I] actually play a lot of padel right now ’cause they just opened two courts here in the Philippines, so I actually play almost every day when I’m here. And yeah, it’s been my thing for the last six, seven months when I’m home ’cause I usually play padel in the morning, work out, and then play tennis in the afternoon.”</p><div><br/></div><p>“Here [in the Philippines], it’s very hard for me to get practice partners already for tennis so I’m trying to squeeze in a little extra work besides tennis. Because when I’m out, I always play tennis two, three times a day. So now, I just want to do something different. But yeah, I like to play padel, relax, watch Netflix, and chill with my fiancée.”</p><div><br/></div><p>It was a rather quick year for a busy Niño, yet a blazing one by far. And just like any other athlete whose joy lies in trying different things out, Niño is framing his 2023 in a short and no-nonsense statement: “I’ve been very happy, and I met so many people this year as well that helped me with my tennis and my career, so I couldn’t be happier this year,” he concluded. “And I think I got the best gift ever—an engagement ring.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Without losing sight of love and his career goals, Niño is greeting 2024 with only one objective in mind—to make it to the Olympics. “Anything’s possible, you know? It’s all about hard work, perseverance, and prayers, ’cause I mean, I came from nothing back home in CDO,” the tennis champion told us.</p><div><br/></div><p>When asked what sound advice he would give to any young aspirant who is gearing up for their own targets and bucket lists in life, Niño beams effortlessly. As a learnt sports luminary, he knew how to keep the ball rolling. “I think I kind of made it already but I still want to do more for myself and for the country,” he bluntly expressed. “If you just train, listen to your coaches, listen to your parents, anything is possible.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/fbf28944-8850-48ff-abe3-12a65b8de378_0 niño alcantara on metro man 4.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino tennis player Nino Alcantara for Metro Man"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">On Niño: Shirt and button-down by Fred Perry and shorts by Uniqlo</span></span></span></div><div class="article-content" itemProp="articleBody"><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/1f906a93-4d44-43b3-baf6-b48dcc8dbef5_0 niño alcantara on metro man 1 gallery cover.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f9f03e03-dc82-4a96-bc2e-b1bb892c87eb_0 niño alcantara on metro man 1.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/a4fdae23-1a63-43a2-9c37-60b9f3bb4839_0 niño alcantara on metro man 3.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/aa567a60-8734-400c-95b0-2f4ade595e2a_0 niño alcantara on metro man 4.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f2db72d4-2a52-4722-a4fb-d81e7252a779_0 niño alcantara on metro man 2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/64e99c8f-0126-4e6b-96b8-08e9a30c30a3_0 niño alcantara on metro man 5.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/1b4d9355-b022-42a6-afc4-e1594a5a05e5_0 niño alcantara on metro man 6.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/8a93d5bb-a05c-4ff3-8cb3-b80aa8be548f_0 niño alcantara on metro man 7.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/7442da8f-45a4-499c-a3cf-cb27c8dde474_0 niño alcantara on metro man 8a.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e83c9670-8971-47bc-8c67-833d63e30e37_0 niño alcantara on metro man 9.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/8c6c1ffb-0020-4b20-ac9f-3e3610979535_0 niño alcantara on metro man 10.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/184ce4cb-fe85-4310-b629-a8f472118edb_0 niño alcantara on metro man 11.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/79df124b-92b6-4c3b-a516-e634d211185a_0 niño alcantara on metro man 12.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/883e88c1-4761-4423-9989-be7623703f05_0 niño alcantara on metro man 13.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6b24c59a-b5b7-42fe-b587-282fecc84b78_0 niño alcantara on metro man 14.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - On Niño: Button-down by Fred Perry, shorts by Uniqlo, and shoes by Converse</p></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - On Niño: Shirt and pants by Fred Perry and shoes by Converse</p></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br/></div><p>Photographer: <strong>Patrick Diokno </strong></p><p>Stylist: <strong>Quayn Pedroso</strong> </p><p>Grooming: <strong>Mong Amado</strong></p><p>Creative Director / Producer: <strong>Lorenz Namalata</strong></p><p>Production Design: <strong>Good Gang </strong></p><p>Shoot Assistant: <strong>Chesca Wong</strong> </p><p>Special thanks to <strong>Chere Gioskos</strong> of <strong>ALT Management </strong>and<strong> Jappy Gonzalez</strong> of <strong>UNIVERS</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/nico-bolzico-bullied-husbands-club-the-manual/37131" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Comedy With a Heart: Nico Bolzico&#x27;s “Bullied Husbands Club, The Manual”</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/digital-covers/richard-gutierrez-the-iron-heart-finale/36402" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘The Iron Heart’ Star Richard Gutierrez Dashes To His Next Adventure </a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/digital-covers/paulo-avelino-for-flower-of-evil-ph/33387" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mysterious Maverick: Paulo Avelino In A Riveting Portrayal Of A Villain In &#x27;Flower Of Evil&#x27;</a></div>

Without losing sight of love and his career goals, Filipino professional tennis player Niño Alcantara is greeting 2024 with only one objective in mind: to make it to the Olympics and do more for himself and the Philippines