John Valenti

John Valenti


When John was born in 1976 in Rochester, New York his mother took one look at him and promptly wanted more of the same. 5 1/2 years - and 3 more sons - later, she decided that the sports-mad Valenti clan was big enough. While John's brothers veered towards soccer and basketball, John decided, at age 15, to concentrate on tennis. After high school, he spent a year at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and three years at the University of North Carolina, where he earned a full tennis scholarship for the final two years. In 2001 he decided to give the pro tour a try. Now, when not at home in Charlotte where he manages two townhouses with six tenants, you can find John on the road driving from tournament to tournament in his "TourMobile", a conversion van complete with computer equipment and stringing machine. Where did he get those dreadlocks? While on a backpacking trip in Europe Johnny decided to start twisting his curly hair..."I didn't know what to expect, I just did it" he says with a smile. "It looked funny at first but I didn't care, I was in a different country!" His tennis goal is to play on TV. If he doesn't make it as a result of a place in the finals of the U.S. Open, his character would make a fun addition to any Hollywood saga. Watch your screens...