Former world No. 4 Francesca Schiavone enjoyed a walk around Hobart’s Constitution Dock today ahead of her opening round match at the Moorilla Hobart International which begins tomorrow.
Schiavone returns to the Apple Isle for the third time having last played at the Domain Tennis Centre for Italy as part of the Fed Cup tie against Australia in 2011.
“I’m happy to be back here in Hobart. There are good memories. I remember when I made a party here at the dock last time,” Schiavone said.
The 2010 French Open champion had a successful year in 2012 moving up more than 20 places in the rankings to world No. 34. Just last week she helped Italy win a round against Germany at the Hopman Cup.
Schiavone is hoping to get more match play this week in preparation for the Australian Open.
“It’s not easy when you arrive without matches and you arrive with a lot of weight. It’s not easy but you have to hurry up and be ready to fight every time. You have to work all the time on your body and your mind,” she said.
“I’m not so happy with my form. I feel a little bit slower than usual but my goal is to be in great shape in 10 days and to keep going.”
The Italian will take on Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, world No. 54, in the opening round of the main draw.
“I played Kirsten a long time ago. She has good [game] plans because she has a lot of experience. It will be a good match,” Schiavone said.
By Rosie Jones