This year is all about living in the moment for Francesca Schiavone as she nears the end of her tennis career at the age of 36.
In January the former French Open champion announced that she would hang up her racket at the end of 2017. Since then, the Italian has shined on her beloved clay by winning the Bogota Open followed by reaching the final in Marrakech.
Schiavone’s strong run on the clay came undone earlier this week at the Madrid Open. Facing Swedish qualifier Johanna Larsson in he first round, she crashed out in three sets. Shortly after her loss, the world No.77 spoke with Ubitennis about what could be her final year on the tour. She also revealed how she discovered that the Rome Open will not be giving her a wild card into this year’s tournament. A controversial decision that has been criticised by many.
(On her Madrid loss) Did it influence your game having played so many matches in the last few days and taking a plane between two matches?
I don’t want to find any excuses, but for sure arriving in Madrid at 1:00am it’s not good to be at your best physical condition. Considering my type of game, this is fundamental.
How do you explain your good results of the last month compared with the bad start of the year?
In Australia I had a lot of problems with the tactical aspect (of my game), but then, as time went by, I found a way to improve and my staff helped me. Of course on clay I can express myself better because I have more time before hitting the ball. I can be varied in my game, finding a way to put my opponent in trouble, considering that my style is quite unusual on tour.
Are you changing your mind about the retirement?
A lot of people asked me that, I want to enjoy these moments without thinking about the end of the year: I know I’m playing good tennis, almost spectacular, as good as maybe never before, but now it wouldn’t be fair to give an answer to this question. I can’t, I just want to enjoy the beauty of this last month, not looking at the results.
How is your body?
I have some problems with my back that occurred after Bogotà: I was forced to stop for a week. When I arrived in Rabat I didn’t even know if I could compete, but then luckily my osteopathy made me feel like new; I was feeling a little bit of sore though.
There is a lot of speculation about your wild card to the Internazionali d’Italia. Did anybody inform you that you wasn’t going to receive one?
If I have to tell you the truth, I read that from the newspaper after that it has been announced, but please don’t ask me to comment (further) on this.
Transcript translated by Paolo Di Lorito
