Madrid Open: Italian Tennis Veteran Still Wants To Go for Gold in Paris at 36 As She Makes Life-Long Wish Evident

For many players, honor comes before any rewards. Players who dedicatedly focus on the Olympics are one of those. Italy’s veteran WTA player Sara Errani‘s recent revelations speak volumes of her Olympics obsession. This thirty-six-year-old WTA star spoke about making a crucial sacrifice for the gold in Paris this year as well.

Italian professional tennis player Sara Errani delved deeper into her obsession with the Olympics. In an interview, this WTA star said that she would trade her Mutua Madrid Open tour as her last for Paris’s Olympic medal. In Errani’s words– “I sign, 100%. The Olympic medal has always been my dream. Many times I have had this discussion with Pablo: do you prefer to win a Grand Slam or a medal? I always said the medal, even if it was in doubles and even if it was bronze. I don’t know, I had that dream stuck in there, but I was never able to achieve it, not even when I was No. 1 in doubles. Right now it would be my ultimate dream.”

Errani’s statement revealed that more than Grand Slams, she is fascinated by the honor of the Olympics. This Italian WTA pro further said that she played many matches and prioritized her doubles skills to attend the Paris Olympics. In Errani’s words- “I have played a lot, maybe I have sinned a little in that, because I am very tired. At the same time, that has given me a lot of physicality, but I have weighed myself a little. I have played every week, trying to give priority to doubles, since one of my goals this season is to reach the Olympic Games with Jasmine (Paolini).”

Despite keeping high hopes for Paris, Sara Erran performed impressively well at the Mutua Madrid Open tournament this season. She managed to bag three victories on the tour so far which brought her a lot of the spotlight.

Italian Sara Errani bags her victory against Caroline Wozniacki at the Mutua Madrid Open

While Errani’s dream for the Paris Olympics is bigger than the Grand Slams, this Italian tennis player is leaving no stone unturned to impress fans in Madrid. This WTA star recently defeated American tennis star Caroline Wozniacki by 3-6, 7-5 and 7-5. Errani revealed her feelings about challenging a player like Wozniacki.

She said– “when I consider that the other player is very good, it’s hard for me to believe it. It’s hard for me to go in and give my 100%, as if it makes me a little smaller depending on who I play against. I have always said that at Roland Garros 2012 I changed my game with that match against Ivanovic in the third round, well I would tell you that with Wozniacki I did it again. There are times when I start the match and say: ‘ She’s Wozniacki, she’s very good, you can’t beat her .’ Overcoming that brake that I have with myself has been important.”

Sara Errani’s confession expressed that her obsession with the Olympics will never slow down. However, Errani is also keeping patience to improve her professional tour performances. If she holds on to such confidence, she might soon fulfill her Olympic dream.