"Paolo's gifted with a good serve in addition to some decent shots," Landonio told Tennis Italiano.

"He's also improving his volleys and while he may not be catching the eye in any particular part of his game, he does not have any weaknesses either."

Maldini - who will turn 49 on the opening day of the tournament - took up tennis upon his retirement from football in 2009, and his doubles partner offered some qualified praise ahead of his professional bow.

"Since he only started playing five or six years ago, there are some deficits in terms of technique," Landonio observed. "If he'd started working on his technique earlier, then who knows?