Sinner and Alcaraz choose Chef Diego from Riccione in New York

Riccione, August 29, 2025 — It's well known that New York, during the US Open, becomes not only a sporting stage, but also a social one. But this time, it wasn't a backhand or a forehand down the line that stole the show: it was a plate of fresh pasta and a glass of wine . Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz , the two greatest talents in world tennis today, found themselves at the same Italian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, specifically Osteria Delbianco .

It's no coincidence: here, chef Diego Bigucci , originally from Riccione and known to many simply as " Chef Diego ," brings the authentic flavors of Emilia-Romagna to the table, conquering the palates of champions traveling to the United States every year. And not only Sinner and Alcaraz, the world's number one and two ranked players, have come to visit him, but also Andrey Rublev, the 27-year-old Russian ranked number 15.

A ritual that is renewed

For Sinner, it's almost a tradition: "Every year, Jannik comes to us during the US Open, it's always a pleasure to have him at the restaurant ," the Osteria wrote on social media. The South Tyrolean champion, pictured here, smiles in the photos alongside the chef and the restaurant's managers, like a regular rediscovering the flavors of home.

It's no surprise: Flushing Meadows is a busy place, and between practices and games, you need a place to relax without giving up your roots. So, between games, the 24-year-old from Sesto Pusteria treats himself to a plate of hand-rolled tagliatelle, just like his grandmother would make for him. A treat that, at times, can be as good as a good workout.

Even Alcaraz can't resist

But the real surprise came with Carlos Alcaraz . The Spanish champion, world number one, stopped at the same restaurant. He was also photographed next to the chef, with the eloquent caption: " We serve Italian flavors to champion Carlos." It was a scene that sparked the fans' imaginations: the two on-court rivals, separated by a few tables, sharing the same passion for Italian cuisine.

It's not hard to imagine the atmosphere: the buzz of the dining room, the steaming dishes arriving, the occasional curious glance from other customers. And all around them, a piece of Emilia-Romagna transplanted to the heart of Manhattan.

Diego's Dream, from Riccione to Manhattan

The silent protagonist of this little tale is Chef Diego. Raised in Riccione, he learned the art of cooking in his region and then traveled throughout Europe, even working with Alain Ducasse in Paris . After years in New York, in 2020 he realized his dream of opening his own restaurant, dedicating it to his grandmother Maria Delbianco, a source of inspiration and guardian of the family recipes.

Its menu speaks Emilian: fresh pasta, soups, grilled meats , and select wines. And it was there, between a masterfully crafted ragù and a bottle of Sangiovese, that two of the greatest tennis champions in the world found common ground , far from the concrete of Flushing Meadows but close to their Italian roots.