Francesca Schiavone retires to focus on coaching

Francesca Schiavone, who became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title when she beat Australia’s Samantha Stosur in the 2010 French Open final, has announced her retirement from professional tennis at the US Open.

The 38-year-old was known for her single-handed topspin backhand, delicate drop shots and serve-and-volley tennis during a career that earned her eight singles titles and seven doubles titles.

“I arrived at this decision to say goodbye to tennis with my heart, because my head … says, ‘Please go to the court, fight’,” Schiavone told reporters at the US Open in New York.

“But my heart says that I am in peace like this, that I am very happy about my career, my life and everything.”

So happy I got to see @Schiavone_Fra today. What an amazing career you had. We played some great matches not only against each other but together as a team. Congratulations my friend. #champion pic.twitter.com/66HUw1JKwK

— Samantha Stosur (@bambamsam30) September 6, 2018

Shortly after Schiavone’s triumph over Stosur in the 2010 final at Roland Garros, she became the first Italian to reach the top five in the women’s singles world rankings, earning a career-high of fourth in January 2011.

She was involved in the longest ever Grand Slam women’s singles match when she beat Svetlana Kuznetsova after four hours and 44 minutes at the 2011 Australian Open.

Schiavone also won three Fed Cup titles alongside Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani, and Roberta Vinci in a golden age for Italian women’s tennis.

“We had success because we were different,” she said.

“It’s not just forehand and backhand; it’s touch, it’s tactics, and strategy. You have to find the solution when there is a problem. It’s always about going through something where sometimes you understand what’s going on, and sometimes not. It’s a mix of talent, and big work.”

Schiavone, who last competed in July at Gstaad, Switzerland, where she fell to Stosur in the first round, has since been coaching and hopes to be back at a Grand Slam in that capacity.

“The heart I think needs dreams every day of the life. My new dream is to come here with a player and to be in a Grand Slam as a coach,” said Schiavone.