Maldini: ‘Tennis success is because of planning, which was lacking in football’ | OneFootball

Paolo Maldini points out that the success story of Italian tennis is because ‘there was planning in this sport, what was lacking in football,’ and refuses to answer questions about a FIGC role.

The Milan legend was in Rome today for the Italian Open tennis tournament, which is being played at the Foro Italico, the same complex as the Stadio Olimpico.

He spoke to news agency ANSA about the success of world number one seed Jannik Sinner, who is heading for another final.

Maldini sees Italian football failure reflected in tennis success

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 03: Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara of AC Milan look on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 03, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I think having the world number one certainly increases interest in the sport, but having so many Italians in the top 100 now is not a fluke,” said Maldini.

“There was planning in this sport, what was lacking in football, because Italy has always been a nation of talent in sport.”

The need for a new direction is precisely why Maldini has been proposed as having a potential role in the Federation after Gabriele Gravina’s resignation.

Although he has not put his own candidacy forward, he could be called in for a position by either Giovanni Malagò or Giancarlo Abete.

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 18: Paolo Maldini, Technical Director of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Dacia Arena on March 18, 2023 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

When pressed on this matter, the former Milan chief refused to comment.

The 57-year-old was technical director with the Rossoneri from 2019 until 2023, when he was sacked following disagreements with the club hierarchy.