About
Francesca Schiavone is a retired Italian professional tennis player known for her powerful one-handed backhand and aggressive playing style. She achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in singles and No. 8 in doubles. Schiavone made history as the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, triumphing at the 2010 French Open. She is also the last one-handed backhand player to win a major women's title. Beyond her Grand Slam victory, she won eight WTA Tour-level singles titles.
Career Timeline
Professional Tennis Debut
Starts her professional career, gaining initial experience on the WTA tour.
First WTA Title
Wins her first WTA title, marking a step up in her career.
French Open Champion
Wins the French Open, a historic achievement for Italian tennis.
Wimbledon Quarterfinalist
Reaches the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, showing continued success.
Continued Top 20 Presence
Maintains a consistent presence in the top 20, showing longevity.
Retirement from Tennis
Retires from professional tennis after a long career.
Battles Cancer
Successfully battles Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Tennis Legacy and Coach
Remembered as an Italian tennis icon, continues coaching.
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Last updated: February 23, 2026