Francesca Piccinini: “I’ll stop playing volleyball, but not dreaming”

He had tried it two years ago. Then the dream of going to Tokyo Olympics it had made her think again. Now, however, the decision to Francesca Piccinini it is final. His career ends here, after almost thirty years of training, sweat and success. “I still have a hard time believing I said that,” he reveals, “but I’ve made up my mind. It was not easy, ending with volleyball means for me to put an end to a very important part of my life ».

«I don’t know if it is more difficult to quit by choice or because, as it happened to Francesco Totti, others tell you it’s time to step aside. I think being box-bound after a great career is very hard to accept. However, on reflection, it is better to find the strength to decide in person ».

In about three decades of activity, Francesca has met many people on her way. “I thank you all. I have had the pleasure and honor of working with many excellent colleagues, with highly professional coaches and managers. Of course, along the way I also found less “pleasant” people, but all of them in one way or another helped me grow and become the woman I am today. A special thought certainly goes to my family, which has a fundamental role in my life ».

Forty-two years spent as a star. «I consider myself very lucky. I am in salute and I did the job I wanted. We athletes know well that the career is short, that we retire very early. We are therefore prepared for this ».

«I believe that the moment of truth, the one in which I will really realize that I am no longer a player, will come at the beginning of next season, when I will see the others start preparing. It will be hard not to take the field, but even beautiful, beautiful things will come to an end sooner or later ».

Francesca Piccinini thinks positively and does well. His life will never be the same, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be stimulating in a different way. «I’m afraid I’ll miss the adrenaline», he confides, «the one that volleyball made me know well. However I am optimistic and enthusiastic, there is no shortage of proposals and I believe that soon I will decide what to do when I grow up ».

In the future, however, there will be more than just volleyball. “I will certainly stay on the planet volley. But I already have many other ideas in mind. In the little free time I have had in recent years I have also dedicated myself to other things, now I will be able to do it more freely and maybe I will discover passions that I do not even imagine at the moment ».

When you decide to write the last word on a page, it is inevitable to rethink the first line. “If I go back to my mind as a child, I feel so much tenderness. I was little and I fantasized about becoming a great volleyball player. I am happy to have succeeded. Now is the time to change, but I want to keep dreaming ».

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