The entry lists for the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro are out and Italy has entered once again with a strong team that will aim for medal glory. Two Grand Slam runner-ups under the names of Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani will be there with the company of the always dangerous Karin Knapp, who will enter with a protective ranking. Flavia Pennetta did not decide to compete after she retired at the end of last year, while 2010 French Open Champion, Francesca Schiavone refused the ITF wildcard.
Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, the team leaders
Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci will once again support their country in this year's Olympic Games. The Italians have both been members of the world's top ten with Roberta Vinci currently standing at the eighth place in the rankings, while Errani has been as far as number five in 2013. Also, both have made Grand Slam finals with Errani reaching the final of the 2012 French Open, and Roberta Vinci taking part in the all-Italian US Open final last year.
However, they are not currently in their best shape. Vinci may be the world number eight at the moment, but her good results came at the season start and she has been in bad form since March. Meanwhile, Errani is ranked 22 and she has had a disappointing season, not winning a single match on her favorite red clay so far. They will be looking for success in the summer tournaments before the Olympic event to get back on the winning track.
Both have been in the winning Fed Cup team in 2009, 2010 and 2013 when Italy won the Fed Cup and have had amazing experiences playing for their countries. With Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone out, this time, Vinci and Errani will have the burden of Italy's hopes in this year's Olympics tennis event.
Karin Knapp enters via protective ranking, Francesca Schiavone declines ITF wildcard
The other member of the team will be Karin Knapp. Knapp is a really dangerous player that hits the ball hard, but she has been struggling with injuries lately and her ranking has fallen to world number 90. Knapp used a protective ranking to enter the event and she will definitely try to be in shape for it. If she manages to bring her top game she will be a dangerous floater for sure.
On another note, the ITF gave former world number four and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone a wildcard to compete in Rio, but the Italian refused to take part. The second Italian Grand Slam champion of this generation, after Flavia Pennetta, explained why she decided to not accept the wildcard and not jump at the chance that the ITF offered her to compete.
"I made a decision not to accept it because at this stage of my life, with the important decisions that are in front of me about the development of my career, I need to focus and prioritize my personal projects." Schiavone said with a facebook post.
So, the Italian team is formatted by Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci and Karin Knapp. The Olympics start on 5th August and the tennis event action kicks off the next day.