Fresh off her double triumph at Roland Garros, Sara Errani wasted no time shifting gears from tennis to padel. Just two days after her Grand Slam victories, the 38-year-old Italian made her debut at the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel in Rome, signaling her deepening commitment to the fast-growing sport.
Errani’s passion for padel is anything but casual. She plays nearly every day and travels with her padel racket, crediting the game with improving her physicality and even enhancing her tennis performance. “Instead of going on vacation, I came here to play,” she said, highlighting her competitive spirit and love for the game.
In an interview with Spanish broadcaster Antena 3, Errani was asked about the possibility of Carlos Alcaraz trying his hand at padel. Her response was both encouraging and lighthearted: “Why not? He has the touch and the intelligence to improve.” With that, she extended an open invitation to the young tennis star, suggesting that his skills could translate well to the padel court.
Errani’s remarks come at a time when padel is gaining international traction, with growing support for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. Her high-profile involvement and vocal support could help elevate the sport’s visibility and attract new talent from the tennis world.
As Errani continues to blur the lines between tennis and padel, her enthusiasm and openness to new challenges reflect a broader shift in how athletes are redefining their careers. Whether Alcaraz takes up the offer remains to be seen, but the invitation has been made—and the padel court is ready.
