women-from-italy

"In the courtroom, you often have to improvise. The better prepared you are, the better you are at improvising."

"Filippo Carobbio’s defense strategy is clear: to downplay his crime as a mere transgression, thereby avoiding a dangerous criminal conspiracy charge. This is why Carobbio accuses Conte; this is why he tries to downplay his own role in the soccer betting scandal. For the Disciplinary Commission, Carobbio is a witness of absolute credibility; Carobbio is divine, one and triune—a mythologization that struck me but is by no means accidental, because the judges used the famous “ping-pong” cross-examination technique on him."

"Angelino is intelligent, has depth and culture, but these qualities must translate into the ability to say no even to Berlusconi."

"The watchword is disparity. [..] We must aim to have much more than men if we truly want to make up for what we’ve lacked so far. Centuries of discrimination, abuse, unfavorable laws. I consider it compensation for everything we’ve been through."

"Don’t ask yourself why this misfortune has befallen you specifically, or you’ll go mad. Get it into your head that it’s a total loss."

"You come out of a criminal trial with at least a nervous tic."

"The first thing I tell my new clients is: “It happened to you; it's a misfortune. Just think of it as if you'd been diagnosed with cancer.” I wasn't just wondering if Andreotti would be acquitted. I was wondering if he'd have time to read all the documents, if he'd even make it alive to the Court of Cassation."

"Plea bargaining is becoming like honey for false turncoats. To get a reduced sentence. They rejected it for Conte, and for a man like him, it’s better that way. Better a century-long ban."

"The part of the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the statute of limitations is different. The Court of Appeals’ ruling stated, “Before 1980, there were ties to the Mafia; after that, there were not.” The Supreme Court’s ruling—which is the final instance, and which no one wants to examine—states that, regarding the period prior to 1980, there are two alternative truths: the possibility that he (Giulio Andreotti) either had ties to the Mafia or did not. There is a situation of doubt, but it makes no sense to go back and determine which of the two alternative truths applies, because the statute of limitations has expired. So it remains a matter of doubt. Quite different from the appellate ruling."

"Women have more spirit of sacrifice. In Italy, there is no culture of running, of suffering. Men think they can win with their shirt collars turned up, without breaking a sweat, with aces on serve and classy shots. Kids take to the court thinking about a cool guy like Roger Federer, not Rafael Nadal, who, having fewer natural weapons, sweats and fights. They should understand that, before becoming like that, Federer also worked his butt off."

"Interviewer: If you could give advice to Jasmine Paolini, who is entering the circuit at a very young age, what would you say to her? Jasmine Paolini: To have fewer doubts about myself. I think it's a very Italian flaw not to belittle yourself a little. Less doubt, more certainty."

"[...] I started playing tennis at the age of 5 and fell in love with the sport. It was love at first sight. I feel great when I play. When I was younger, I used to watch the Grand Slam finals [...]. But it was hard to imagine that I could do it myself. Of course, I wanted to, but now it's something crazy for me."

"I like nice guys. Someone like Balotelli, for example, I can't stand him. I didn't like him at the European Championships and I really don't like him, his personality, his arrogant attitude. I can't stand him."

"No one is unbeatable, but I'd like to see Serena play in men's tournaments: she'd win a $10,000 tournament. She has an intensity and ability to play on the court that even men don't have. I've heard a lot of talk about the difference between men and women, but Serena's strength has to be proven on the court. I train with guys who are ranked 400-500 in the world, and I can assure you that she hits much harder."

"I dreamed of becoming a professional, but not of being number 1 or winning a Grand Slam. Never. Not even of entering the top 10 [...]. But I hoped for it, without really believing it. Then, step by step, step by step, I started to believe in myself without projecting myself too far ahead. That's why I was surprised to hear Nole's [Novak Đoković, ed.] interviews when he was a child, in which he said he wanted to become number 1 in the world and win Wimbledon. I watched them and it seemed incredible to me that children could dream like that. The same goes for Jannik [Sinner, ed.], who at 15 said his dream was to become number 1 in the world. I'm very happy, but I think I'm a different person."

"(About Iga Świątek) The simplicity with which she plays is impressive. In women's tennis, it's not so common to play against someone who does everything very well and always makes the right choice."

"She hits all her shots perfectly. Sara Errani has a great selection of shots. She processes the game very well inside her head."

"The more important matches I play, the more I understand this sport. There are no magic formulas. There is only hard work, perseverance, and determination."

"For a tennis player, technical changes are often traumatic, because it's not easy to change shots that you already consider good. We players are usually quite stubborn..."

"(About Nick Kyrgios) He has a strong personality, which I've always liked. Watching him play is a show, he does crazy things. My character shouldn't like him, but I've always found him interesting. Lately, however, he's made some rather ugly and unfortunate comments [...]. He seemed too eccentric to me, and I don't like that side of him very much. I preferred him when he limited himself to his antics on the court."

"Interviewer: Life on the circuit can be exciting but also repetitive and tiring. How do you experience it? Jasmine Paolini: After years of playing mainly ITF, without hospitality and with very low prize money, I would describe life in WTA tournaments as peaceful. There is no anxiety about money, there are lots of points up for grabs, and everything is perfectly organized. Obviously, traveling all the time is not so easy, I have to learn to manage myself a little better: after New York, for example, I returned to Europe to play in Portoroz and then, without a break, I went back to the States to play in the Chicago tournament. I arrived exhausted and lost in the first round; looking back, I would opt for a different schedule or simply a week's rest. In summary: the professional circuit presents you with many challenges, sporting and otherwise, that are not easy to resolve; however, I consider myself privileged and never complain about this life."

"Interviewer: “Everyone says about you: ‘She has a great forehand but she's short’. What do you say to that? Jasmine Paolini: It's not a problem and I don't even think about it. I know what I need to improve, for example my serve, but for me, height isn't a huge disadvantage. Okay, if I were 5 centimeters taller, maybe I would serve a little better... but maybe I would be less agile. Like everything, it has its pros and cons."

"She plays really well inside her head. She has good technique, great technique. She has a grip that works well. Because even though she's short, she can still return a high ball. She's very confident right now. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that. I think you'll see this more and more. Of course, taller players still have huge advantages. When you're not tall, you have to play even better and be faster. Justine Henin has already done it, and now Errani is in the final. It's incredible. It takes a lot of energy just to think that you can be competitive with players who are taller than you, and she's doing it."

"You get hurt, after the injury you can't find yourself again and a thousand doubts arise about your level, your ability to play well... uncertainty after uncertainty, your level drops. If you go on court without being calm, it becomes difficult."

"Interviewer: “During a match, have you ever thought that you would have won if you were 10 centimeters taller?” Jasmine Paolini: Never. The only question I ask myself is how I would serve if I were taller. That said, I can serve just as well. We're working on it, especially on transferring what I do in training to the match. During training, I serve pretty well. In a match, it's more difficult: I might miss a couple, I don't get the first one in, I get a couple of winning returns... and then I start to slow down and the insecurities creep in. But I'm happy with what I can do in training. We're working hard: the serve is too important in tennis today. In particular, I try not to slow down the speed of the shot."

"(Before the final of the 2012 Roland Garros) I'll have to serve a lot of first serves and move her around as much as I can. It's still a tennis match, so I'll try to play it and enjoy myself. Could the wind interfere with her high ball toss? Then let's hope for a hurricane!"

"Interviewer: “What has been the most difficult moment in recent years?” Jasmine Paolini: Not qualifying for the Slams made me feel really bad. Finally, at Roland Garros in 2019, I got through the qualifying rounds [after nine failed attempts in various Majors, ed.] without losing a single set, and that broke the deadlock. Now I'm starting to win matches in the main draw, and it's a whole different story, but those years weren't easy. I arrived unconvinced, often without a coach, and I couldn't express myself at my best. In 2018 in Australia, I won three games in the first round of the qualifiers, and it was devastating."

"[On joining the Radical Party] I joined not so much out of organic membership, but in response to a plea from the Radical Party, which was struggling to survive. I did it out of gratitude. I didn't vote for them; I was a socialist. I did it so that a party that had brought divorce and abortion to Italians wouldn't die."

"The popularity is shocking, as was the [Sanremo] festival with its circus."

"[On Domenico Modugno] He got really angry when I won [the Sanremo Festival] with "Non ho l'età" in 1964. He went there to win, not to participate. When he wrote "Dio, come ti amo" (Dio, come ti amo), he thought about pairing with me ("that way I'd neutralize her"). It worked, despite the sabotage from the record companies."

"I sang with the simplicity of a sixteen-year-old girl whose mind is uncluttered by prejudices. I never had any, I'm not a conformist."

"I was the ye ye girl with the miniskirt, at 22 I was already famous, but I wanted to change and I transformed myself into a fifty-year-old woman to sing the authors I loved, like Brel who later became my friend, or Ferré who was like a brother."

"I eat less meat now, also out of respect for animals. Let's say I eat the essentials. Because, after all, we can't just eat fruit and vegetables; we need meat too, if we want to stay healthy."

"I wouldn't have even participated in Canzonissima and other similar events if I hadn't been forced by a contract. I don't sing songs destined to win."

"This year, more than the Sanremo Festival, it's a record for the summer because everyone brought songs with choruses, which are very catchy."

"“Public services are needed but must change.”"

"“The best way to fight the mafia is knowledge.”"

"“It must no longer indulge in sensationalism and ‘TV of pain’.”"

"“For Rai there is a risk of Big Brother via Google, YouTube, Facebook.”"

"“Spreading the culture of quality is the first calling card of public service…”"

"“I don’t much like how she is portrayed. I love the normal woman. With her capacities, skills and professionalism that can and must emerge. One should not focus exclusively on beauty.”"

"Some trap lyrics are unspeakable, unlistenable, but we have to try to understand why these young people are saying these things."

"Talent? It’s not enough for fame."

"It contains a very important line: 'you die a little in order to live.'"

"It’s hard to start from yourself and say: ‘Well, this is who I am, and this is my path’... Talent alone is not enough. You need character, reliability, humility, and courage."

"["Your first memory of your mother?"] I'm six years old, I finish catechism class, I go downstairs and find her in front of the door of the oratory. She never came to pick me up; my house was only 50 meters away. "Damn, I think I did something wrong," I say to myself. She looks at me and claps her hands: "Come on, hurry up, let's go get my sports bag. Your game is coming up soon." It was my first official outing with the Nuvolera men's team."

"I would never have imagined playing for Juventus; I had a poster of Del Piero in my room, and today to that little girl inside me I would say: dream, sooner or later it comes true."

"Football has been my great passion since I was little, and I never had doubts about what I would do when I grew up."

"The real victory is in making proud those who have always believed in you, and especially having people who rejoice with you for your successes."

"I wanted to be a ballerina, now I dream of an Olympic medal … I have great potential and I don’t feel pressure."