Francesca Schiavone Profile
Country:ITABirth Date:6/23/1980
Birthplace:Milan; Italy
Residence:Milan; Italy
Height:5' 5 1/2" (1.66 m)
Weight:141 lbs. (64 kg)
Plays:Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Year Turned Pro:Pro (1998)
Francesca Schiavone showcased her all-court skills in becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title when she defeated Samantha Stosur to win the 2010 Roland Garros at the age of 29. Playing her trademark heavy topspin ground strokes to set up compact volleys, Schiavone saved six match points to subdue Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-4, 1-6, 16-14 at the 2011 Australian Open; the four hour, 44-minute epic was the second-longest match in Open Era. At the age of 30 years, seven months, Schiavone became the oldest woman to complete the Grand Slam quarterfinal collection. Reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals propelled Schiavone to record-setting heights: she holds the Italian female ranking record (No. 4) and is tied with Adriano Panatta for the overall Italian ranking record. At the age of 30, Schiavone stretched her Roland Garros win streak to 13 matches in reaching her second straight Paris final before bowing to Li Na in the 2011 French Open final. The Milan native has proven pivotal to Italy’s Fed Cup team, helping her country capture the Cup in 2006, 2009 and 2010. Schiavone, who lost the first eight finals she contested, owns four career titles. An avid opera and classical music fan, she earned the 2010 WTA Most Improved Player award. Shiavone says "driving fast" is one of her hobbies.
Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone
