Alessandra Fanali arrives at the women’s Italian Open, Ladies Italian Open, with a great dose of confidence that can help her. Not only is she currently Italy’s number 1, but she is also playing with excellent consistency on the Ladies European Tour. This is a circumstance that is effectively ensuring her the prospect of being able to play the 2024 Paris Olympics, on the same route that was of the 2018 Ryder Cup. First, however, there is the move to the Golf Nazionale di Sutri (Viterbo), the main topic of the words granted to OA Sport.
For you, what does it mean to arrive here as Italian number 1, close to fulfilling your Olympic dream, and how do you tackle the Italian Open?
“I face it with such serenity. I spent five months where the golf was good, fun, but also a bit tough technically on the course, because it’s not easy to manage week by week. Honestly, the week at home was lived with a different mentality, because it’s true that I’m at the National Golf and I’m not really close, but I feel at home, with the National team staff, the teachers, my family, everyone. I say this with great serenity, then as it goes it goes, this is the mood“.
You talked about five months: you achieved a second place in Kenya and then you remained very consistent, only one missed cut. And this is allowing you to reach Le Golf National.
“I always want to have more in every race, I can never settle for a top 30. I know my potential and I’m really putting everything into trying to get a victory, which is the most important result. However, the consistency of last year and this year certainly helped in reaching the Olympics“.
Francesca Fiorellini: “I’m quite confident for the Italian Open, I try to combine golf and maturity as best as I can”
See more
For you, what does the prospect of experiencing the Olympic Village and people like Sinner, Musetti, Paolini, Paltrinieri and so on bring to mind?
“Honestly, I’m just super excited and happy, for me it would really be the cradle of a dream that I didn’t think could come so soon, because two years ago I played the Italian Open as an under. Going professional and, in a year and a half, playing in the Olympics is a dream“.
Maybe then hopefully there will be two of you! (the reference is to Virginia Elena Carta, Ed.)
“Exactly”.
And in front of those present in the Aniene Hall of the Lazio Region: “A week at home is always very good. I continue my training as I do every day, I work with my coach, we see what condition the field and greens are in. Obviously there are the Olympics, but I’m trying to be present day by day and try to live it as it comes. I know that I could almost certainly qualify for the Olympics, but I’m taking it blow by blow and then we’ll see what happens in the end“.
