Olympic Champion Kanoa Igarashi Enthralled by Nitto ATP Finals: ‘I Returned Home Daily with Insights’
Kanoa Igarashi served as a content creator for the ATP during his time in Turin.
November 12, 2025
Photo by Jack Howell/ATP Tour
Kanoa Igarashi experiences his inaugural Nitto ATP Finals event.
By Andrew Eichenholz
Kanoa Igarashi, a silver medalist in surfing from the Tokyo Olympics, is no stranger to high-stakes competition. However, his recent visit to the Nitto ATP Finals left him thoroughly inspired.
“Tennis is that one sport that tests both physical endurance and mental strength like no other,” Igarashi shared with ATPTour.com. “As a fellow athlete, I often turn to tennis players for inspiration and creative ideas. Attending a tournament in Paris last week, followed immediately by my experience here in Turin, has been a whirlwind adventure for the tennis aficionado in me.”
Residing in Lisbon, Igarashi has quickly developed a strong affinity for tennis. As a content creator for the ATP, he has attended both the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals, allowing him to connect with some of the sport’s leading figures.
“It’s astonishing to foster relationships with these incredible athletes and engage in enriching discussions,” he noted. “It’s fascinating to realize the common threads that link all sports. Regardless of the game—be it soccer, basketball, or my own surfing—the ultimate goal remains the same: to be the best.”
Igarashi has relished the opportunity to share insights on competition preparation and training techniques, both in and out of the arena.
“I went home each evening, jotting down notes from the athletes I interacted with. They suggested new training methods and breathing exercises, prompting me to reflect on different perspectives in my sport,” he explained. “I’ve gained invaluable insights over these past few weeks that will undoubtedly influence my upcoming season.”
A memorable exchange took place between Igarashi and Felix Auger-Aliassime, who secured his Turin spot during the final week of the season. Their conversation delved into techniques for handling pressure and the importance of mental resets.
“In tennis, you must restart after every point, whether it’s a win or a loss, staying fresh for what’s next. The same goes for surfing; we catch waves but must reset for each ride,” Igarashi shared. “We discussed our breathing techniques and how we navigate challenges in our respective sports.”
“Our dialogue was intellectually stimulating; both of us approach our sports with a philosophical lens,” he added. “It was a refreshing exchange.”
This week, the ATP and TikTok unveiled the Tennis Creator Network, a groundbreaking initiative launched at the Nitto ATP Finals. Igarashi represents Indian Wells within this innovative network. Discover more about this pioneering program here.
