Status: Winner of three Federation Cup titles for Italy (2006, 2009, 2010). Part of WTA #1-ranked doubles team with partner Gisela Dulko. Ranked #23 in singles. Winner of nine WTA singles titles. Has career wins over Henin, Venus Williams, Jankovic, Schiavone, Mauresmo, Sharapova.
Ht: 5-7 3/4 Wt: 128
DOB: February 25, 1982 in Brindisi, Italy.
Childhood Heroes: “Superman I think [smiles].
Tennis Inspirations: “I like Capriati and Seles. I had the posters on the wall and I always saw them play and I love [them] so much.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I love to stay home, to enjoy my home with my family and friends. Because we don’t have a lot of time to stay home. And I also like to go to the cinema, normal things that everyone likes to do.”
Favorite Movie: “Braveheart.”
Favorite TV Show: “24.”
Musical Tastes: “Lauro Boccini. He’s Italian.”
Early Tennis Memory: “My first match was very funny because I was so nervous on the court. And I went to the hospital, so [laughs]. Not so good. (What happened?) I was down like 6-2 and so nervous and they bring me to the hospital (age 11).”
Pre-match Feeling: “Well, I think every match I’m very different. It’s when you win some tournaments… it’s very important to you. But I think I remember one match in Rome five years ago against Petrova. It was so good because she was like number 6, I’m number 79, something like that. And I won the match with all the people from Italy to watch the match was very, very good.”
Favorite Meal: “Pasta.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Haagen Dazs pralines and cream.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I think a lot of great moments in my career. But maybe when I won the first tournament in Sopot. I was there alone without coach. Nobody, just me. And it was very exciting moment (d. Koukalova in 2004). And of course winning the Fed Cup for Italy.”
Most Painful Moment: “In 2000 when I take like a stomach virus. I stop for six months. I didn’t play for six months and it was very hard.”
Favorite Tournament: “Acapulco. Because the place is very nice. I love the place.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Some Italian players like {Francesca] Schiavone, [Maria Elena] Camerin. Gisela Dulko. Also Spanish players like [Anabel] Medina Garrigues.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Schiavone, for sure. And Rafa (Nadal) [laughs]. (What is it about him? People don’t know Rafa is so funny.) Well, he is a good champion but very normal person.”
Toughest Competitors: “I think everyone. When you go on the court you have to have respect for everyone I think.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I don’t have one.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “I like to stay home when I have time. Because we don’t stay a lot of time in the home. But also to go to the beach. I love the beach so maybe after this season when we finish, we will go to Mexico. Something like that. We don’t know yet. We have to see.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Well, they need to be a good person. They don’t have to lie. I don’t like it. And they have to enjoy the life in every moment I think.”
Flavia's first match resulted in a hospital visit
Andrew Miller · November 9, 2010 at 4:58 am
I like Flavia a lot – she is an excellent player – super solid.