Getting To Know... Sara ErraniApril 15, 2011
With WTA two singles titles to her name and seven in doubles, Sara Errani isn't new to the international tennis scene. But after paying her dues as the Italian No.3 or No.4, the world No.43 has a much deserved opportunity to shine this weekend as the No.2 singles player for Italy's Fed Cup semifinal against Russia in Moscow.We caught up with Sara, who turns 24 later this month, during the recent US hardcourt swing.
How did you get into tennis?SE: I started when I was very small, like three or four years old, because my brother used to play in the garden. So I started with him and my father.
Tell us about your family.SE: I have a brother who is five years older than me. My mother is a pharmacist and my father is a market trader.
What is your coaching history?SE: I have been with my coach for seven years, Pablo Lozano, and Davide Andres, my fitness trainer, for five or six years. I know them both well and I'm very happy working with them.
How do you describe your playing style?SE: I think I'm solid from the back, but I also try to force errors from my opponents and show a lot of grit on the court.
Do you have a favorite tournament?SE: Acapulco.
Favourite surface?SE: Clay.
What are your goals in tennis?SE: To get into the top 32 in the world rankings so that I can get a good draw in the Grand Slams. Long term, I don't have anything specific just to give the maximum at every tournament and to go as far as I can go.
Did you have a tennis idol growing up?SE: When I was little it was definitely always Andre Agassi, then for a while when I was a bit older I liked Hewitt. Now it's definitely Nadal. I haven't had any great female idols to be honest.
Who is the toughest opponent you have faced?SE: I have played so many strong players. I have played against Davenport, Hingis, Safina, Jankovic, Dementieva, Henin, they are all tough.
What is your best tennis memory so far?SE: When I won the WTA tournament at Portoroz in 2008, that was the greatest satisfaction because I had just won Palermo. Winning two tournaments in a row is definitely a highlight for me.
Is there a match that got away that sticks in the mind?SE: When I played Sam Stosur at New Haven last year. I had three match point in the third set and then in Indian Wells last year, I was 4-2, 40-0 up against Jankovic in the third set and I lost.
If you could steal a shot from anyone, what would it be?SE: I would take Stosur's serve.
What do you like about life on Tour?SE: I like playing a lot of tournaments, I like competing much more than I like training so I will play as many tournaments as I can. It's hard to travel so much on planes, that's the downside.
What do you do to relax?SE: I like going on the internet, watching films and listening to music. I have so many favorite films, it's hard to say one but maybe Il Ciclone di Pierraconi. In terms of music, I like a bit of everything.
What non-tennis skill would you like to have?SE: I would like to speak a lot of languages because I travel a lot and like meeting new people. I would also like to be able to draw.
Describe yourself in one word.SE: Serene.
What quality do you most admire in others?SE: When people are open and humble and easy to get along with.
If you could visit somewhere not for tennis where would you go?SE: I would love to tour around Australia.
Who would you like to meet?SE: I'd like to meet the motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi and also Fabio Volo, who's an Italian writer and actor.
What might you have done instead of tennis?SE: I played a lot of basketball for three years and I loved it so maybe I would have been a basketball player, but my size didn't help!
You clearly enjoy being part of Italy's Fed Cup team. How has that helped your development?SE: We are a great team because we have had a lot of success in the past three years. We respect each other a lot and I love playing Fed Cup. I love representing my country and have enjoyed it ever since I was little so I hope to be able to continue playing well for my country.
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