Francesca Schiavone broke news on social media on Friday that she had undergone successful chemotherapy to fight against a malignant tumour. The 2010 Roland Garros champion revealed the diagnosis was one of the reasons behind her absence online.
Schiavone played the final tournament at Gstaad in July 2018 and announced her retirement one month later at the US Open. She briefly consulted as a coach with Caroline Wozniacki during the clay-court season.
The 39-year-old star won eight titles, including the French Open in 2010, when she became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam tournament. Schiavone played in the longest ever women’s match at a Grand Slam tournament, when she beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 1-6 16-14 in the fourth round at the 2011 Australian Open. Later that year she lost to Li Na in French Open final. Schiavone also won three Fed Cup titles.
“I tell you what happened over the last seven months in my life. I was diagnosed with cancer. It was the hardest fight I have ever faced. The best thing is that I was able to win this fight. When I was told about it some days ago, I was so happy, and now I live of happiness. I am already happy to face new projects whom I had, but could not achieve. I fought a tough battle and now I am still breathing. I am now back in action. When they told me a few days ago, I exploded with happiness and I still live with happiness today. I can cut it with a knife”,wrote Schiavone on Twitter.
“I thank my parents. Without their help I would not have found the strength to fight this battle”
The world of sport reacted to Schiavone’s shock news:
“Your strength, your courage, your roar are always an inspiration”, tweeted Inter Milan, one of the two Serie A football clubs based in her home city Milan.
Marion Bartoli sent her best wishes to Schiavone.
“I wish you the best of luck in this battle. Come on champion, you got this !”,wrote Bartoli.
