TARANTO, Italy - There's no doubt that Italy has been one of the breakthrough countries on the WTA over the last few years - its first Top 10 player in Flavia Pennetta, then its first Top 5 player in Francesca Schiavone, and also three Fed Cup titles in the last six years - but there's another Italian name to watch, one that has been quickly carving its way up the rankings over the last year.
Roberta Vinci had an absolute breakthrough season in 2011, winning three WTA titles (Barcelona and Budapest on clay, and 's-Hertogenbosch on grass), scoring her first victory over a reigning No.1 (beating Caroline Wozniacki in Toronto) and not only cracking the Top 30 for the first time, but cracking the Top 20 and spending eight weeks inside (going as high as No.18). She finished 2011 at No.23, Italy's No.3 player behind No.11 Schiavone and No.20 Pennetta.
The 28-year-old Vinci recently sat down with Tennis Magazine in Italy and talked about her past, present and future. Here's a taste of what she said...
On playing against Pennetta when they were juniors...
"It was always me and Flavia in the final everywhere. We were friends and rivals. And we had different styles. She hit the ball harder; I was thin and didn't eat too much, but I had a good game, a very versatile game, and I learnt quickly."
On sacrifice...
"When I was 13, I went to Rome to train with the federation. From then, the path was set - tennis, tennis, only tennis. I was always on court. We hardly went out, and if we did, we were always with a coach. It was like growing up in a boarding school. You miss out on things. You miss out on the chance to be a little girl. You realize afterwards you've lost something you'll never be able to get back: your adolescence. For me it was taken over by goals, training and tournaments. I don't have the same happy memories of childhood like everyone else."
On her unique style of play...
"I've always played this way. When I was little I went to the club with my dad - he was an accountant and played tennis in his spare time. I was five. It seemed natural to me to go to the net and volley - it was also the least tiring way for me to play. I thank my coaches for keeping those natural instincts in my game."
On switching her backhand from two-handed to one-handed...
"I used to have a two-handed backhand but I would get a lot of pain in my left wrist. I would have to go weeks without playing. So when I was 17, we decided to try a one-handed backhand. It worked well with my game right away. The best thing about it for me is when I go to volley I don't need to change my grip."
On her perfect day...
"My perfect day would be at home in Taranto. A coffee, a cute little bar, a big lunch in the sunshine, the noise of the sea in the background, a victory on the tennis court in the afternoon, a walk, a pizza in the evening with friends, a sentimental film at the cinema... that would be my perfect day!"
On her future...
"I have never had a passion for anything but tennis. I have lived and breathed it and I always will. I see myself teaching it after I stop - teaching children how to hold the racquet, changing their grip, helping them develop their talent..."
