One of the world’s leading experts in islet transplantation and Director Emeritus of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Florida) will participate in the first day dedicated to young people.

Professor Camillo Ricordi with tennis legend Ni Wang and TV host Myrta Merlino at Tennis & Friends 2025

 The upcoming main edition of Tennis and Friends 2025 – Health and Sport, taking place from October 10 to 12 at the Foro Italico in Rome, will be the occasion to announce the appointment of Professor Camillo Ricordi as President of the event’s Scientific Committee.

Professor Ricordi, one of the world’s foremost authorities on pancreatic islet transplantation as a treatment for type 1 diabetes, is currently Director of the Cell Transplant Center and Director Emeritus of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida. He is the author of over 1,000  scientific articles and educational books, including his most recent works published by Mondadori: “Il Codice Della Longevità Sana” (The Healthspan Code) and, in October 2024, “Rivoluzione Terapeutica” (Therapeutic Revolution).

Camillo Ricordi will speak on the morning of Friday, October 10, alongside an esteemed panel of institutional figures, including Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth, meeting with the 10,000 students from schools of all levels across Rome and Lazio expected at the Foro Italico.

The newly appointed President of the Scientific Committee emphasizes the many benefits that sport provides to those who practice it, regardless of age:

“There is a profound connection between tennis, padel, ping pong, and other ball sports and physical well-being, mental health, coordination, and healthy lifespan,” says Professor Ricordi. “Physical exercise is already well known for preventing and reversing insulin resistance, a risk factor for many cronic diseases associated with accelerated aging, such as diabetes. In addition, tennis and other ball sports result in significant cognitive and mental benefits linked to neuroplasticity and brain executive functions. Fast-paced racket sports (tennis, ping pong, padel, etc.) require quick decisions, anticipation, and visuospatial processing, which enhance brain areas related to executive functions, memory, and attention. But they also have important cardiovascular, metabolic, and longevity effects. Tennis and padel alternate phases of intense movement and recovery, similar to HIIT training, which is known to improve metabolic health. Not only that, but recent studies indicate that tennis players live on average 9.7 years longer than subjects with sedentary lifestyles, the highest increase among all sports studied. Tennis also improves insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, blood pressure, and reduces abdominal fat—key factors for preventing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome. Finally,” he concludes, “we must not forget its effects on joint health and mobility, as it promotes functional movement, though it requires moderation and adaptation in cases of osteoarthritis or joint fragility. Events like Tennis & Friends help highlight these benefits, encouraging the public to practice sports for their own well-being.”