Flamboyant Francesca flirting with one final fling
PARIS — There were announced she would retire herself, “I feel, like, 15 years moments during what might thisyear. old.” — or might not, depending on However, when asked after Muguruza observed that the day and her mood — have a 6-2, 6-4 loss to defending Schiavone “loves it ... out been 2010 champion Franceschampion Garbine Muguruza there” on court, so a reporter ca Schiavone’s last French in the first round on Monday wanted to know whether the Open match that she got rathwhether she could see herself Italian has always loved tennis er emotional on Court Philcompeting in 2018, Schiavone as much as she seems to these ippe Chatrier. replied: “Maybe. You never days.
“Definitely, when I played know.” “No, I hate tennis somebeautiful points, I looked “I have to see how I feel times. It’s a big relation. It’s a around and saw the fans’ physically. You know, it’s not love that you have to love, and enthusiasm. That certainly easy to wake up and run again then you hate sometimes,” she was bellissima and took me for six hours and push yoursaid, forming both hands into back,” said the Italian, who self. But we will see,” added fists that she rapped against also was the runner-up at Schiavone, who turns 37 next each other. “It’s like when you Roland Garros in 2011. “But I month. “I think after the US marry someone.” was more focused on the Open, I will ask myself what I It was suggested to Schiavopresent than the past.” want to do.” ne that perhaps she could
Truth is, it’s the future that What might appear to be extend her career by continushe finds most difficult to procrastination is actually a ing to play on the red clay define. Before the Australian perfect reflection of Schiavothat’s been her best surface, Open in January, Schiavone ne’s personality, whether con- while taking time off during veyed via Italian or English: She does not see the world in black and white; she sees all sorts of colors — and shades, too.
Her media conferences can be quite entertaining.
Speaking about falling behind 3-0 against Muguruza, Schiavone said she thought to other parts of the season, something 18-time major champion Roger Federer is doing now. Schiavone chuckled. “Oh, how I wish I could think about things the way Roger does — make some calculations and decide, ‘Play a little, then don’t play.’ He is a genius,” she said.
“He takes six months off. He wins Indian Wells and Miami and then says, ‘ Ciao, everybody, I’ ll see you on the grass.’ I don’t think I could make that choice. But I will evaluate what I should do.”
After having spoken in English, she was several minutes into a session in her native language when she joked, with a wink and a smile: “Aren’t you tired of me? I’m tired of you.”
Soon came a call from a moderator for one last question. A reporter who wondered what Schiavone hopes her legacy will be made a passing reference to her Grand Slam title.
“Seven years have gone by?” she began.
And then, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair, Schiavone offered an answer: “The love and the passion that I feel for this sport. Discipline, and the work behind it, because it’s not just about a match of one hour, 40 minutes — there is a ton of preparation. It’s a difficult sport.”