Schnyder’s return to US Open at 39 ends in ‘fun’ loss to Sharapova
NEW YORK: As her 40th birthday approaches, Patty Schnyder came back to tennis for nights like this — facing Maria Sharapova at the US Open under the lights in a 14,000-seat arena.
It was Schnyder’s first maindraw appearance at a Major tournament since 2011, and she did make things interesting, erasing a big deficit in the second set only to fall short of pushing their match to a third, eventually losing to five-time Major champion Sharapova 6-2, 7-6 (6) on Tuesday night.
“That,” Schnyder said, “was fun.” Schnyder is ranked 186th, so she had to go through qualifying rounds to make it to the main draw — and she became the oldest woman to successfully do that at any Grand Slam tournament. She was also the oldest member of this year’s 128-woman singles field, and the third-oldest in US Open history.
“Doesn’t feel like I’ve been gone for such a while,” said Schnyder, who after initially retiring seven years ago, returned to a full tour schedule in 2016.
“It has been a part of my life for so long, that it feels like it’s just great. It’s the passion of my life, and it’s great to be out there.”
This was her ninth career meeting against 2006 US Open champion Sharapova, but first in 10 years. “I knew we’d go out on the court and relive the memories,” said the 31-year-old Sharapova, who is 8-1 against Schnyder. “I know what a competitor she is. To come back and still have the desire is admirable.”
Often Schnyder would peek at the large video screens and catch a glimpse of her 3-year-old daughter, Kim, in the stands and was allowed to stay up past her bedtime on this occasion.