Francesca Schiavone
Francesca SchiavoneClive Brunskill/Getty Images

When Francesca Schiavone was 18 years old, she had only two dreams -- to win Roland Garros and to rank in the top 10 players. The 38-year-old has managed to achieve both in her career and now bids adieu to the game she loves.

Schiavone announced her retirement from tennis earlier this week at the US Open. A former French Open champion and once a top 5 player of the world, the Italian woman said that she took this decision from her heart and is happy to be leaving at this stage of her career.

"For me, it's a very important moment of my life," an emotional Schiavone said during a press conference. "I arrived at this decision, to say goodbye to tennis, with my heart. Because my head, when I arrived here, said 'Please go to the court, to fight'. But my heart says that I am in peace like this."

Known for her stylish one-handed backhand, Schiavone has been an inspiration in Italian women's tennis, with several records and feats in her illustrious career. She made her debut at an ITF event in her home country in 1996 and since then has lasted 22 long seasons, showing true grit and perseverance.

The 2010 French Open win would undoubtedly be the hallmark of Schiavone's career where she defeated Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Dementieva, and Samantha Stosur in her last five matches. In 2011, she almost defended the title when she reached the final of the French Open but ultimately lost to Li Na.

Apart from this, she also helped Italy achieve three Fed Cup titles in 2006, 2009 and 2010 while making the quarter-finals at least in all Grand Slams. Another highlight of Schiavone's career was being part of the longest women's match at a major when she overcame Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 1-6 16-14 in the fourth round of the 2011 Australian Open.

Clearly, Schiavone has had a very good career and led herself with great dignity. While she was short in height, she sure packed a punch in her strokes. Schiavone was also an incredibly fit athlete and led a largely injury-free career. In fact, between the 2000 French Open and the 2018 French Open, she did not miss a single Grand Slam event.

Schiavone's form, however, had taken a dip over the years and she had last won a match on the main tour at Wimbledon in 2017. Her ranking had thus slunk to 454.

It was not a huge surprise when she announced her retirement. But Francesca Schiavone is satisfied with her decision because she had a very dignified career and was one of the finest tennis players from her country to have graced the court.

She is now looking at a future in tennis coaching which should be wonderful for young talents.