Brisbane International’s oldest player in the women’s singles main draw Francesca Schiavone has spent more than a decade on the WTA Tour and is showing no signs of slowing down.
The third seed kicked off main draw proceedings at Pat Rafter Area and progressed to the second round after Kazakhstan’s Ksenia Pervak retired at 4-4 in the first set with a migraine, after double faulting to give back a break on what turned out to be the last point of the match.
The 31-year-old said she made the decision to spend the offseason in Rome where she was able to train outdoors.
“It’s a big difference to the other years that I never played outdoors,” said the jovial world number 11 who possesses one of the game’s most aesthetically pleasing one-handed backhands.
Schiavone said that while she no longer recognises some of the new and younger faces on tour, by no means does she feel old. This month’s Australian Open will be Schiavone’s 46th consecutive Grand Slam, an active streak only matched by American veteran Jill Craybas.
“If you look at me, I’m not so old. I can run faster than the others” she said with a smile. “I think we are a good generation, me, Serena, Venus and Kim … we have to use the experience and our arms to beat the younger [players].”
And where does she perfect her athleticism and speed? “On the track, beach, court or in the gym … I mix it up otherwise if I start to run like this, I can’t stop,” she laughed, gesturing the shape of an oval.
Schiavone – whose ascension to the number four ranking in 2011 made her the highest ever ranked Italian female – has been striking balls on the WTA Tour since 1998, having competed in the ITF Juniors and women’s circuits since 1996.
“Tennis has changed a lot physically. Mentally, there’s a really high tension and high pressure from the world so you have to work a lot,” she mused. “The level keeps going up every year by 10 per cent or 15 per cent so big work and big power [are required], now the strategy is just as important.”
The diminutive 2010 Roland Garros champion said her game had also evolved with the sport’s changes.
“I’m really tough and much [more] powerful than before … when I hit the ball, [I know] it’s important to take the time to push the opponent out of the court,” she said, adding her serve had also improved.
While keeping her results-based goals close to her chest, Schiavone said her 2012 aim was to stay healthy and to enjoy competing.
“I think that part is really important when you arrive at this age but of course you think about results and material goals.”
After a quick embrace with Kim Clijsters in the corridors of the Brisbane International, Schiavone said the pair are close friends and have known each other for almost 15 years. Both players lost to finalist Cara Black at the 1997 Roland Garros Junior Girls’ event before Black lost to a then 15-year-old Justine Henin.
In the second round, Schiavone faces either Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva or qualifier Nina Bratchikova.