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US Open champion Flavia Pennetta talks about her boyfriend, Sania Mirza and why she retired

Flavia Pennetta shares her thought about the Champions Tennis League and a host of other things.

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Flavia Pennetta is all smiles during the interaction on Tuesday
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She might have retired from the professional tennis circuit, but her hunger to win each and every game is still the same. She has her feet firmly planted on the ground even after conquering the US Open. Yes, this is Flavia Pennetta, who took the world by storm when she defeated her childhood friend Roberta Vinci in the final of the last Grand Slam of the year, a trophy which was pitted to be snapped up by Serena Williams, the current World No. 1.
 
The Italian is in the city to ply her trade for Mumbai Tennis Masters in the second edition of Champions Tennis League (CTL) and she has already fallen in love with the Indian culture. Argha Bhattacharya caught up with Pennetta on Tuesday.  Excerpts:-

Hi Flavia, a very warm welcome to India.

Hello, thanks a lot. It's a real pleasure for me.

You have been here earlier also, so what are your expectations from this tour?

So far it's been really nice. The last two times I visited India, I couldn't go around and see the cities due to tight schedules, but this tournament is different, where we have extra days. Like tomorrow is an off day and I will get a chance to unwind and feel the culture of your country. I enjoyed the opening party of CTL when we wore ethnic Indian dresses and I was comfortable in those.

Have you ever been in tournaments like this, which are played in the league format with players divided into respective teams?

No, this is the first of a kind experience for me.

So what made you give a nod for Champions Tennis League?

Well, this is a decision which I had taken in April, when the organisers had approached me. I had a chat with (Tommy) Robredo and (Garbine) Muguruza and they said that they had had a great time last year. So I thought of giving it a try.

Ending a career with a US open trophy in the bag is a great thing but why did you hang up your boots this very year?

(Pauses for a while) Actually I wanted to take a break from the game, spend some time with my boyfriend (Fabio Fognini) and near and dear ones. Also I am 33, and I have fulfilled quite a few personal goals like No. 1 doubles ranking, top-10 singles ranking and both doubles and singles Grand Slams. So I decided to quit the sport when I was at the top of my game.

Having won four Fed Cup titles with Italy, how did you resist the temptation of not competing at next year's Olympics?

I have a clear-cut strategy, that if I have to compete for the Olympics or the Fed Cup, then I would do it by playing from the start of the season and not just play those particular events and block somebody's place. So if I am not playing from January, I shouldn't take part in the Rio Games.

Why didn't you continue playing doubles? A lot of players elongate their careers by doing so.

Yes, that's a choice which differs from person to person. Like I said, for me, playing doubles and singles simultaneously on tour is the same as playing only singles, so if I am competing, I would love to do so in both the formats and I didn't have the hunger to continue with that in 2016, so I decided to call it a day.

You have been collecting prestigious trophies (doubles and singles) since 2010 but before this season did you feel that you would end up with a Grand Slam?

Honestly speaking I never thought that I would have a Grand Slam in my hand at the end of my career. This was something which I always dreamt of, but it's not easy turning dreams into reality. But at the same time I was working hard, staying focussed on my job and after all those years of hard grind, this has come as return gift to me.

Enlighten us about your relationship with Fabio. 

It's nice having someone in life who plays the same sport as you do. However, when we are together we don't talk about tennis so much (laughs). Outside the court we are just Fabio and Flavia.There are times when we share our thoughts about the upcoming matches, but most often we speak about things which are not related to tennis, because at the end of the day we have to take our own decisions and so we put everything aside and enjoy our time with each other.

How will Champions Tennis League help the sport in the country?

It will be hugely beneficial for India as these youngsters who come to watch the games will be attracted by the great players who are here and they would like to be one of us. That's the way champions are made. This game is an expensive one and it's hard to pursue it, but once the interest is generated, everything will fall into place. Also it's about learning to face defeat and bouncing back from that, these guys will see us do it and would replicate that in their life too.

Yesterday you took the court for the first time. Did you like the atmosphere? 

It was amazing, so many kids were there which was really encouraging. We lost the match (versus Punjab Marshalls) by a slight margin (19 games to 21). So a little gutted about that but that's part of the game and being in a group will help us make a comeback. That is the best part of playing as a team as all of us play for each other.

You have played a few matches against Sania Mirza, she is at the peak of her form now, a word on her?

Sania has been an old friend of mine and I am happy that she is achieving what she had been aiming for all these years. She is playing unbelievable brand of tennis. I have a fair idea about her fan following in India. Whenever I meet the Indians and tell them about my friendship with Sania, they just go crazy. But Sania acts very modestly when I mention it to her.

Having played against the best of the best in the world, who do you rate as your toughest opponent?

Serena (Williams). This has to be her. I have never beaten her. She is the best tennis player for me but Maria (Sharapova) is someone who has been incredible. After being affected by so many injuries she has won every possible trophy. Having said that Serena can take the game to another level all together if she is fit, that is what separates her from the rest.

What future lies ahead for Flavia Pennetta?

Normal life. I will certainly be involved with tennis in some way or the other, have my family and spend time with them.

Five quick fire questions

The best male tennis player according to you.

Ever?

Yes.

(Laughs) It's really tough. But if I take into account the past generation, then it's Pete Sampras and I will name three from the current- Rafa (Nadal), Nole (Djokovic) and (Roger) Federer.

Not Fabio?

(Laughs out loudly) Fabio would be making that list next year.

Your idol.

Valentino Rossi

If you wouldn't have been a tennis player then what would you have been?

I was very much involved in volley ball when I was young and was always with the team. So may be I would have pursued that.

Your favourite cuisine.

I like Italian dishes but Parmigiana is a plate which my mom makes for me and it is my favourite. You have to believe me that it's delicious to the core.

Your favourite pastime.

I love horse riding. I go out with my horse and switch off from the rest of the world.

Thank you Flavia for your time and best of luck for the tournament.

Thanks, cheers.

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