Francesca Schiavone on turning 40: What happened, happened. For now, I’m fantastic

Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone turned 40 years old on 23rd June and reflected on her big French Open win and her new venture in an interview to the WTA website.

Francesca Schiavone on turning 40 

Speaking about the 10th anniversary of her French Open win in 2010, Schiavone says, “The first time that I thought about ten years was about a week ago when someone reminded me that this big anniversary was coming. I thought, ‘Wow, that’s true.’ That’s when I first started feeling some emotions about it. Then some days ago, I gave an interview with someone I’ve known a long time, and she asked about the emotions from that day, if my body and mind could remember those feelings. I could feel really big emotions and it was at that moment when I decided to throw a party. While we were in quarantine, my friends called to tell me that on television, they were airing marathons of Flavia Pennetta’s matches, of Fabio Fognini’s matches, another two days for Roger Federer, and two days for me, Francesca. I was getting so many messages from my friends when my quarterfinal or my final matches were playing. I don’t watch a lot of my tennis, but sometimes.”

Schiavone also spoke about her new venture, which is a cafe. "I was supposed to do something different, but then I got sick and that year was very difficult. In that moment, I had some projects I had to totally change. I couldn’t fly, go anywhere to see people. It changed everything. Once I started feeling better, COVID happened. Every project went in a different way. I decided to do this with (her bistro is called Sifa) my partner. I asked her if she could handle this if there was a moment where I couldn’t, and she said yes, so we did it together. I’ve been cleaning the floor and the glass for tomorrow. I’m very happy. It doesn’t matter when I’m doing; I’m very happy to be here and doing something for myself. Life keeps going. I’m healthy now. I look healthy. I can’t control the future because it’s something that attacks you and you don’t know. What happened, happened. For now, I’m fantastic.”

Francesca Schiavone won the 2010 French Open singles title, becoming the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam event in singles. She was also runner-up at the 2011 French Open. Her career-high ranking is world No. 4, achieved in January 2011. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3du7ZPK