Internationals of Rome, Garbin and Volandri awarded with the Golden Racket

Two great names of tennis Italian have today received the right recognition in the Central of Foro Italicoduring the penultimate day of the International BNL of Italy. Philip Volandri and Tathiana Garbin were awarded the ‘Golden Racket’ 2024a prestigious recognition created in 1991 by the historic writer of ‘Il Messaggero’ Lino Cascioli, who FITP awarded since 2006 to male and female players who have left an indelible mark in the history of the tournament and Italian tennis.

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Volandri: «Golden racket at the Forum is the best»

Volandri led Italy as captain to their second historic success in the Cup Davis. “I’m very proudit is also a cycle that continues – begins Volandri – I received the silver one years ago, the gold one is the crowning achievement of a short career after all, because I have been working in the technical sector for eight years and as Davis Cup captain for three. It makes me proud too share it with Tathiana, and that makes it more emotional. Receiving this award at the Bar, with Davis at the Bar, is just the best.” Rome has gone completely crazy over the Internazionali these days, and Volandri has noticed this: «There is hungry for tennis. Regardless of how it went for the Italians, from the point of view of passion it was an amazing edition.” The Azzurri will return to the Finals in September to start the defence of the title in the group in Bologna. Volandri, as captain, will be the man in charge of making the summons: «Bolelli and Vavassori they broaden the possibilities. I am convinced that if we hadn’t had the Arnaldi, the Musetti, the Vavassori, the Bolelli, the Davis we wouldn’t have won it. I’m always happy to have an extra option.”

Garbin: «I dedicate the trophy to the Federation»

Garbin, captain of the national team since 2016 Billie Jean King Cup returning to the final ten years after the last time, she was n.22 in the WTA ranking, with a singles title and 11 doubles titles in her list of successes. «It is a great emotion to receive this recognition together with a great captain, and above all a very great one Friend like Filippo Volandri – she says excitedly – My personal one dedication it’s with the Federation, which has believed in me and continues to do so for a long time, and this fills me with joy.” Garbin reached the doubles final at the Internationals in 2007, and in general “every time I’ve played on Central I’ve always been of very strong emotions“, points out. Italian women’s tennis is coming off an extremely positive season: «I had always hoped that my girls would achieve these results, both as a team and individually», continues Garbin. «I’m not saying I knew it, but I had always believed it. For me it is essential to give trust to the kids, who should not be underestimated.” In November in Seville it will be time again Finals, and the Italians will start from the quarterfinals. «Clearly the expectations are right but we must stay concentrate first and foremost about ourselves. It is important to study the opponents we will face but the focus remains on giving our best.”

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