NEW YORK (Reuters) – Italian Sara Errani said winning her maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open on Thursday had capped off an impressive season that exceeded even her wildest dreams.
The 37-year-old teamed up with compatriot Andrea Vavassori to defeat American pair Taylor Townsend and Donald Young in the final at Arthur Ashe stadium.
Errani, a five-times women’s doubles Grand Slam champion, took home a gold medal alongside Jasmine Paolini at the Paris Olympics as well as winning the Italian Open this year. She and Paolini also reached the final of the French Open.
“No words. It is more than a dream. I never dreamed this, so it’s much more. It’s an unbelievable year,” Errani told reporters.
“(We won) in Rome, then we did the final in Paris. I play good also in singles. Now this mixed doubles. I have no words.
“I couldn’t expect this. I’m enjoying a lot. Of course when you win, you enjoy a lot. When you lose, not too much. But you have to stay there, to keep going even in the tough moments, and I think that I did that also.”
Errani’s success has added to an already impressive season for Italian tennis, with Jannik Sinner winning the Australian Open, while Paolini finished runner-up at the French Open and Wimbledon.
“It’s an incredible year for me, but also for Italy,” Errani said.
“Jannik, Jasmine, Simone (Bolelli) and him (Vavassori) in doubles, me and Jasmine, so it’s really good moment for Italy, I think. We are very happy to be in that moment.”
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed)
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