“You are qualified for your first Grand Slam final. How do you experience it?
I am very happy. Really really. Yes, it’s a great feeling to be in the final of a Grand Slam. It seemed like something impossible (laughs) to experience, but it’s reality…
How did you manage this semi-final?
I was very nervous. It was a different match than the one against Elena (Rybakina), who is so aggressive. I lost to her last month, and it was very difficult, mentally and physically, because she is very consistent. I was very nervous, but I entered the court with the intention of hitting the ball, moving quickly, being comfortable in the game, staying in the present, playing point for point. After the first set, I started to feel better and better.
“I’m very happy but I’m a different person, I think”
You are rewarded for a lot of effort…
Yes, I started playing tennis at the age of 5 and fell in love with the sport. It was love at first sight. I feel good when I play. When I was younger, I watched the Grand Slam finals and in particular those of other Italian women. But from there to imagining that I could achieve it in my turn, it was difficult. Of course I wanted it, but now it’s something crazy for me.
So you’re living your dream in some way?
When I started playing, I didn’t dream too much. I just loved playing. Then I started training like a professional player. I dreamed of becoming pro, but not of being number 1 or winning a Grand Slam tournament. Never. Nor even to be in the top 10 (she will be 7th in the next WTA rankings). But I hoped, without really believing in it. Then, step by step, step by step, I started to believe in myself without projecting myself too far. This is why I found the interviews with Nole (Novak Djokovic), when he was a child, who said he wanted to be world number one and win Wimbledon surprising. I was watching this, and I found it incredible that we could dream of this as a child. Same for Jannik (Sinner), at 15, who said his dream was to be world number one. I’m very happy, but I’m a different person, I think. »
