My Friend, My Foe, My Countrywoman
Flavia and Francesca.
While the two might be in the wrong business to be known by a single stage name, there is no doubt that Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone have been the faces of Italian women’s tennis for the better part of a decade.
Despite having contrasting styles, each brings something unique to women’s tennis. Schiavone, no doubt the flashier of the two, is the master of an all-court game and a classic clay court style; she uses an extreme Eastern grip on her one-handed backhand, a dying art in women’s tennis. Pennetta, to her credit, possesses some of the most aesthetically pleasing groundstrokes on the WTA; she’s renowned for her great timing, clean strokes, tenacity and net skills. They are similar in one respect; each time they’ve taken the court, they’ve played with immense passion and heart.
They’ve triumphed individually; Pennetta was the first Italian woman to ever be ranked in the top ten in singles, win a major title in doubles when she triumphed with Gisela Dulko in women’s doubles at the Australian Open in 2011 and be ranked No. 1 in either discipline when she and Dulko topped the women’s doubles list; Schiavone became the first Italian woman to ever be ranked in the top five in singles and win a singles major title at Roland Garros in 2010. They’ve triumphed together; with a combined a 48-24 total record in Fed Cup, the duo led Italy to three titles in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
Each has had so many standout moments over their long careers that it’s difficult to pick just one. Aside from her major triumph, Schiavone will probably best be remembered for one of the highest quality matches in the history of the WTA, when she and Svetlana Kuznetsova contested the longest women’s match in Grand Slam history at the Australian Open in 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBbLO06fBCU&feature=youtu.be
Pennetta, a three-time US Open quarterfinalist, made the most improbable of her three runs in 2011. Following her third round defeat of Maria Sharapova, Pennetta rallied past Peng Shuai, dry heaves and the mid-day New York heat to advance to her third career US Open quarterfinal. Having witnessed the match live, I can scarcely think of many other times when a New York crowd so firmly and whole-heartedly supported a non-American player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP7CnDWIhyQ&feature=youtu.be
In recent years, however, age and injuries have played their part. Barely hanging on to her spot in the top 100, Pennetta returned from a six month absence after wrist surgery in Acapulco, where Schiavone won back-to-back matches for the first time since Wimbledon. In that time, Italian women’s tennis had been overtaken by another dynamic duo.
Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci spent a lot of time during those three Fed Cup title runs cheering on the sidelines. However, they’ve taken the mantle vacated by Schiavone and Pennetta and firmly seized control of it. Errani became the second Italian woman to reach a major final, something some expected Pennetta to do. Vinci, despite being just a year younger than Pennetta, has had the best 18 months of her singles career. They show no signs of slowing down in doubles either, as they currently hold three of the four majors and are the undisputed No. 1 team in the world.
In the first round of Fed Cup, it was Errani and Vinci who singlehandedly led Italy over the United States and instead, Karin Knapp and Nastassja Burnett cheered from the sidelines. It was the first time neither Pennetta nor Schiavone were named to an Italian Fed Cup team in over 10 years; one or the other was always a constant presence since Schiavone made her debut in 2002, and Pennetta a year later in 2003.
On a Wednesday in Indian Wells, these two WTA stalwarts, Fed Cup teammates and friends took the court for a singles match for the first time in three years. After Schiavone defeated Pennetta 7-5, 6-1 in a non-televised match under the setting California sun, one couldn’t help but wonder if the sun is also setting on their time at the top of the game. Whatever happens at the end of this season, it would be fitting for two of the WTA’s strongest characters to leave the sport the way they entered it.
Together.
Love in Tennis
In life, ‘love’ envelopes all that is good and passionate. In tennis, ‘love’ is on the other side of the spectrum. It’s the equivalent of nothing, nada, rien, nichts. How is it then that an Indo-European word meant to show great belief and affection turns to anger and disgust in the world of tennis?
When we are down love-40 in a game of tennis, it conjures up thought that we are inadequate, and that perhaps we should find a new job, hobby, or general change in the path our life is heading. But what if being down love-40 is exactly what we need in order to breakthrough and perform our best? Every day there are unnecessary things in life that bring us down and draw energy out of us. It’s those times when our character is tested that we see exactly how strong we are. That we are indeed empowered, in control, and the serve is ours for the taking if only we believe.
The next time you are down love-40 in tennis or life, think of it as an advantage to prove your passion and dedication. To a tennis player and spectator, love can turn from anger and disgust into glory and triumph in a matter of seconds. There is no greater reward than to come back from the depths of despair and stand up victorious and joyful.
This column is dedicated to the ‘love’ of tennis: the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s called Romi’s Rants, Raves and Missives.
WIN SERENA WILLIAMS’ LUCKY RINGS!
This offer is no longer valid. The contest is over!
Anyone else enjoyed Serena Williams’ magnificent performance during the first week of Wimbledon? I always enjoy watching this natural born champion. Not just for her marvelous and excellent tennis game but also for her attire. I am always curious what Serena will wear on the courts. It are mostly clothes that make her look classy and feminin.
Serena has been into fashion for as long as she plays and I couldn’t help but Google about her fashion endavour. I found out that she has her own jewelry line called “Serena Williams Signature Statement”.
And this is what Serena had to say about that:
I always try to make a statement both on and off the court. My passion and drive have enabled me to explore many creative paths throughout my life. It makes me smile when I think back to when my mother and I used to sew all of our own clothes together. I understand the talent and precision it takes to make beautiful things come to life.
Attending design school reminded me of my love for creating clothes, jewelry, accessories… you name it. One of my dreams has always been to share gorgeous gifts of fashion and luxury with the world, which is why I have created the Serena Williams Signature Statement collection.
All of my pieces are designed with love to offer you feminine and elegant beauty that you can wear all of the time. Know that a part of my heart goes into every piece and I hope my collection inspires you to make your very own signature statement for your lifestyle!”
In collaboration with the Home Shopping Network (HSN.com) I am allowed to give away not 1, not 2 but 3 of Serena Williams Lucky Rings.
They come in the following colors: Yellow, Crystal, Pink and Purple.
All you have to do is answer the following question: How many times has Serena Williams won Wimbledon?
Answer the question and the first 3 to get it right will receive Serena’s Lucky Ring! It’s that easy folks! Please leave your email address so I can contact you about shipping the rings to you!
Please watch Serena Williams on the Home Shopping Network that airs on July 22! Don’t miss out what this champion has to say to you!
This offer is no longer valid. The contest is over!
Andy Murray’s Radical Messenger
Over the past six decades, HEAD has witnessed many changes. In a long and distinguished history, HEAD has seen some good times and some not so good times.
The fact that HEAD has survived is testament to the strength and resolve of everyone who has ever been involved with the company: customers and employees alike.
We are passionate about the gear we produce and we know this is a passion shared by our enthusiastic owners. All of our racquets will continue to be hand-built and bespoke but using high technology processes in a very modern environment.
That ethos goes right back to 1950 and the very beginnings of the company. Our founder, Howard Head, believed that a sports gear should have a distinctive and individual character. He felt it should be developed and designed to the highest standards and be exhilarating to use and own – many things have changed over the ensuing sixty years, but those goals are still very relevant to us today.
HEAD sports gear combines three important elements: power, beauty and soul. HEAD products are truly special – they always have been and always will be.
Andy Murray has enjoyed a solid partnership with HEAD and together they have worked on the Radical Messenger to promote the new developed Head youtek Radical Racket.
For the competition HEAD has many prizes in store. Among those are HEAD Backpacks, Microgel Raptor OS rackets and many more.
Please visit Andy Murray’s Radical Messenger website or by clicking here.
Krystle Clear: The Maria Sharapova Dilemma
Maria Sharapova has been out of tennis the past year or so, and her rankings have dropped significantly. However, her face remains present on our billboards, Fifth Avenue, and commercials reminding us to “make every shot a power shot” with Canon. This is the time where she must decide if she will come back to tennis full force or a small pop, disappearing into Kournikova land.
At this point, she has earned more money than many people will see in their lifetimes. She won grand slams, performed what she needed to do to become a memorable female athlete, and if she wants to forget her number one ranking, I don’t know if I would do anything else in her place. She is a young girl. Tennis schedules get hectic, her other modeling/spokeswoman career is more lucrative and fascinating. Why not play halfheartedly and enjoy life? She could become an actress, movie producer, fund her own sports ventures, anything she dreams of!
The flip side of the coin is sports are about passion. You don’t care about money once you have it but winning, being the best to save your dignity. I believe that’s what other top players have and top athletes in every field: drive. Miss Sharapova could demand to be the best, extending her presence beyond today’s tennis to ages from now, the way we talk about Babe Ruth, thei height of Wayne Gretzsky, etc.
It’s her choice. What would you do?