Italy may be excused for thinking the same thing about its soccer side a month ago, with fans perhaps dreaming of watching their team attempt to defend its European Championship title this weekend as two tennis stars have home hopes on the line.
Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman in a Wimbledon final when she fought back to beat unseeded Croatian Donna Vekic on Thursday, while 22-year-old Lorenzo Musetti plays Novak Djokovic for a place in men’s semi-finals.
On Saturday, Paolini will battle Czech Barbora Krejcikova in the final at the All England Club. A ban on large flags at Wimbledon will not stop the Italian Tricolore being waved and they are sure to be out in force when Musetti walks onto Centre Court to face 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.
Lorenzo is such a sweet guy. I’m so happy for him. Tomorrow, I’m going to watch some (of his) tennis for sure. He has a huge talent. He is a really good person, I think. The press conference), and continued: “He hopefully can play a good match.
Paolini and Musetti had won only two matches between them at Wimbledon before this fortnight — both by the Italian. Paolini, 28, had never previously even won on grass before last month.
But this feels like a moment for Italian tennis with Jannik Sinner topping the world rankings after taking his first Grand Slam at January’s Australian Open. No Italian has ever won a men’s singles Wimbledon title.
