Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria: “Rome an enchantment, we want to win but we take one match at a time”

The women’s draw and the setting of the Centre Court are probably the most significant novelties of this BNL Italy Major Premier Padel second edition. At Foro Italico, in the tournament that marks the ‘baptism’ of women in the world’s most prestigious padel circuit, the most eagerly awaited players are undoubtedly Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria, the number 1 ranking pair.

“We are happy to be here, it is an enchantment – explains Ari Sanchez, interviewed by Fitp – and the atmosphere at Foro Italico is something unspeakable. From the point of view of the scenario, you couldn’t ask for better“.

Superstition or humility, Paula Josemaria rejects the status of favourite pair. “We will take one match at a time, as we have to“, she underlines, “We must not look too far ahead, because in a tournament like this the important thing is always the match that has to be played. The goal is to win the title, but to achieve that we have to start well and continue better“.

Like Ale Galan and Juan Lebron, the heat does not frighten the Spanish pair. “We are prepared“, confirmed Ari Sanchez, “and all things considered, there have been hotter tournaments among those we have played in Spain in our careers. We will have to try to recharge our batteries every day to be one hundred per cent“.

Winning in Rome would be a dream, because of the setting of Foro Italico and because this is the first women’s stage of Premier Padel: “We hope to make the most of the opportunity that Premier Padel gives us, which we thank for this“, explains Paula Josemaria, “This is undoubtedly an important change of perspective for all women’s padel“.