ET Bureau"Capricciosa," Flavia Pennetta says in a sing-song Italian accent. Before that she says "tiramisu."
Capricciosa is pizza with baked ham, artichoke, mushrooms and tomato. Tiramisu is the famous dessert. These two foods, one sweet, one savoury, are what the US Open champion from Italy compares her boyfriend Fabio Fognini to.
Before Fognini, Pennetta was in a serious relationship with the former Spanish pro Carlos Moya. But Moya was simultaneously intimate with the actress Carolina Cerezuela.
The discovery devastated Pennetta. However, a cathartic book, therapy and willpower helped her get on her feet again. Her resurrection culminated with an unexpected triumph at this year's US Open. And she found new love in the colourful Fognini, her countryman and fellow tennis player.
The 33-year-old Pennetta was in India for the Champions Tennis League, where she played for the Mumbai Masters. She spoke with ETPanache on phone from Chandigarh.
Excerpts from an interview:
You wrote a brave book about your heartbreak (Dritto al Cuore/ Straight to the Heart). What advice would you give young people in a relationship?
Things happen in life. You have to keep going. And the other thing is you can't fight for love.
During your difficult phase, were there people or things that inspired you?
Valentino Rossi was a big factor. In spite of everything, he had the fighting capacity to get on the bike (Rossi overcame injuries and a traumatic accident on track during the 2011 Malaysia Grand Prix that killed his countryman Marco Simoncelli). Monica Seles was also an inspiration. When I was young I had a picture of her on the wall. I would buy all the clothes she'd wear. She was a fighter.
The US Open was the highlight of your year. What souvenirs have you kept?
I have kept the racquet with which I played the final point. I have my clothes from that day and towels. Everything except the shoes.
Who did you give the shoes to?
Shoes I gave away to a woman who took care of us in the locker room during the tournament.
How has the CTL experience been? Have you been around Mumbai and some other places?
I've been having a good time. We saw a bit of Mumbai and did some shopping. At that point, the men left us and returned to the hotel (laughs). I bought some jewellery and some clothes for my mum and sister. It's not the sari...it's the one with the pants (salwar kameez). We had coconut water on the street and walked around.
What are your hobbies?
I like riding horses in nature when I want to get away from it all.
What about fashion and food?
I enjoy both. I went for Milan Fashion Week after the US Open. I like to cook. I can give you a good dish if you want.
What would you cook for Fabio?
An appetiser, pasta, maybe scalloppine, some meat. Whatever he needs.
On your website you say you are addicted to your Blackberry. Are you a tech geek?
I'm not very good with technology, but I'm obsessed with my phone. It's the only way to keep in touch with the people in my life. I use Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, everything.
Capricciosa is pizza with baked ham, artichoke, mushrooms and tomato. Tiramisu is the famous dessert. These two foods, one sweet, one savoury, are what the US Open champion from Italy compares her boyfriend Fabio Fognini to.
Before Fognini, Pennetta was in a serious relationship with the former Spanish pro Carlos Moya. But Moya was simultaneously intimate with the actress Carolina Cerezuela.
The discovery devastated Pennetta. However, a cathartic book, therapy and willpower helped her get on her feet again. Her resurrection culminated with an unexpected triumph at this year's US Open. And she found new love in the colourful Fognini, her countryman and fellow tennis player.
The 33-year-old Pennetta was in India for the Champions Tennis League, where she played for the Mumbai Masters. She spoke with ETPanache on phone from Chandigarh.
Excerpts from an interview:
You wrote a brave book about your heartbreak (Dritto al Cuore/ Straight to the Heart). What advice would you give young people in a relationship?
Things happen in life. You have to keep going. And the other thing is you can't fight for love.
During your difficult phase, were there people or things that inspired you?
Valentino Rossi was a big factor. In spite of everything, he had the fighting capacity to get on the bike (Rossi overcame injuries and a traumatic accident on track during the 2011 Malaysia Grand Prix that killed his countryman Marco Simoncelli). Monica Seles was also an inspiration. When I was young I had a picture of her on the wall. I would buy all the clothes she'd wear. She was a fighter.
The US Open was the highlight of your year. What souvenirs have you kept?
I have kept the racquet with which I played the final point. I have my clothes from that day and towels. Everything except the shoes.
Who did you give the shoes to?
Shoes I gave away to a woman who took care of us in the locker room during the tournament.
How has the CTL experience been? Have you been around Mumbai and some other places?
I've been having a good time. We saw a bit of Mumbai and did some shopping. At that point, the men left us and returned to the hotel (laughs). I bought some jewellery and some clothes for my mum and sister. It's not the sari...it's the one with the pants (salwar kameez). We had coconut water on the street and walked around.
What are your hobbies?
I like riding horses in nature when I want to get away from it all.
What about fashion and food?
I enjoy both. I went for Milan Fashion Week after the US Open. I like to cook. I can give you a good dish if you want.
What would you cook for Fabio?
An appetiser, pasta, maybe scalloppine, some meat. Whatever he needs.
On your website you say you are addicted to your Blackberry. Are you a tech geek?
I'm not very good with technology, but I'm obsessed with my phone. It's the only way to keep in touch with the people in my life. I use Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, everything.
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