Their journey at the Oysho Milano Premier Padel P1 began in qualifying, but for Caterina Baldi (on the right in the photo) and Clarissa Aima it already feels like the high point of one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Not only because of the atmosphere and the chance to play close to home – Baldi, the world number 80, comes from Reggio Emilia, while Aima (86) was born and raised in Novara, less than an hour away – but also because the Milan tournament comes at the most exciting time of their sporting careers. Less than a week ago, both received their first call-ups to the Italian national team for the biggest event of all: the FIP World Cup, which will take place in Doha from 2 to 7 November. The Italian women’s team heads into the competition after winning bronze two years ago. Both are still struggling to put the emotion into words, although the moment they received the news gives a good idea of what it means to them.
“We were still in Germany for the Düsseldorf P2 and had just got on a bus that was completely empty apart from the driver,” Baldi recalls before heading out for her morning training session. “Then, a little later, I saw the email. I couldn’t hold back – I started screaming with joy”. Her reaction even took Aima by surprise. “I heard her shouting and got scared,” she adds with a laugh. “Then she told me to check my email, and I joined in”. The joy is overwhelming, although Baldi believes they will need time to take it all in. “It’s such a huge thing that perhaps we still haven’t fully realised what it means. We’ll probably understand when we get on the plane to Qatar. For now, all I know is that representing Italy will be the greatest honour of my life”. Aima agrees: “I think it’ll be difficult to sleep the night before we leave, given how much emotion we’ll be feeling”.
The prospect of representing their country is not distracting them from their immediate goal, however: securing a place in the main draw of the Milano P1. “We’ll definitely have extra motivation,” Baldi continues. “And we’ll need it, because tomorrow we’ll face a very tough challenge”. Milan was also where Baldi made her first international breakthrough two years ago, alongside Giulia Dal Pozzo, whom she will meet again in the national team. Having come through qualifying, the two outsiders reached the round of 16, beating, among others, padel legend Carolina Navarro, a former world number one who is now coach of the formidable Spanish women’s team. “That fantastic week made me realise I was on the right track and could believe in what I was doing. It gave me confidence and self-belief”. This year, she has put those qualities to good use alongside Aima, with the pair winning three titles on the CUPRA FIP Tour – the International Padel Federation‘s other major circuit alongside Premier Padel – in addition to the title they had already won in October 2025. Aima, who is making her debut at the Milano P1, explains the chemistry between them: “We understand each other on and off the court, but above all, we complement each other. I’m the one with lots of energy, while she gives me calm and confidence. We balance each other perfectly”.