“I had a Panda, she had a Lamborghini”

According to her First round defeat at the Olympic Games Table tennis ace Debora Vivarelli has to return home. In an interview with s+ she talks about the bankruptcy, her family and the future.

How was the match?

Debora Vivarelli: "I would have preferred to play against a Chinese player. She is also left-handed. Everyone I spoke to beforehand said she would take it easy in the first set. But the unexpected defeat in the mixed doubles on Saturday in the first round spurred her on even more. She also feels the pressure because she wants to win a medal. Then from the outside it looks as if you are only making minor mistakes. But the chances of scoring a point are so small that you put yourself under pressure and make mistakes. Even from the bench it was difficult to find a solution."

But it must have been great to play in front of such a backdrop.

Vivarelli: “I tried to stay positive, also in terms of body language, I wanted to steal a few points and at least get a little bit into the game.”

It was your 2nd Olympic Games. What was different from Tokyo?

Vivarelli: "I thought I was really excited, but when I got to the table I was in my zone and could only see the ball. I enjoyed it, even if it didn't look like it from the outside. I had a Panda, she had a Lamborghini."

<a data-caption="Die Vivarelli-Fans im Olympiafieber: Von links: Cousine Serena Vivarelli, Mutter Gabi Filippi, Trainer und Schwager Jason Davide Luini, Debora Vivarelli, Ehemann und Eishockey-Nationalspieler Gianluca Vallini, Vater Sandro und Marco Vallini, der Bruder von Gianluca. Ganz vorne die Nichten Mayla und Caroline Luini." data-fancybox="inline-220182" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2024/07/die-vivarelli-fans-im-olympiafieber-von-links-cousine-serena-vivarelli-mutter-gabi-filippi-trainer-und-schwager-jason-davide-luini-debora-vivar.jpg"> The Vivarelli fans in Olympic fever: From left: cousin Serena Vivarelli, mother Gabi Filippi, coach and brother-in-law Jason Davide Luini, Debora Vivarelli, husband and national ice hockey player Gianluca Vallini, father Sandro and Marco Vallini, Gianluca's brother. In the front are the nieces Mayla and Caroline Luini.

Is the Olympics over for you?

Vivarelli: "We have to leave the Olympic Village within 48 hours because there are not enough beds available. But my family is staying until Wednesday. There are eleven of them here. Then I will go to their rented apartment."

Are you watching some more competitions?

Vivarelli: "Unfortunately, I won't be able to see a Sinner match, but I would like to watch Simone (Giannelli) play volleyball on Tuesday if we can get tickets. And I'll explore the city a bit with my parents. Then I'll go on holiday at home. That's fine too."

How is this continuing?

Vivarelli: "At the end of August I'm travelling to India for 3 weeks. I'll be a substitute player in the Indian championship in Chennai. That will be more of a show. In September I'll have my first games in the major league in the USA. I'll be playing for a team in Seattle. That's something new, with games in one place and on a weekend over 3 days. And then the championship in Italy starts again."

The next Olympic Games will take place in 4 years.

Vivarelli: "I know. If someone had asked me in December, I would have said it would be over in July. But I still feel good, I still want to play and I still have fun. In 2028 in Los Angeles, I would be the first table tennis player from Italy to go to the Olympics for the third time. But let's see how long my husband lets me play. (Vivarelli is married to ice hockey national player Gianluca Vallini from HCB Südtirol, editor's note)."

Interview: Stefan Peer

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Hockey

Tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

“I had a Panda, she had a Lamborghini”

The disappointment was there, but Debora Vivarelli dealt with it well. She enjoyed her Olympic appearance despite the clear defeat and can look back on the last four years with satisfaction.

Comments (0)