As she slipped to a 6-0, 6-1 US Open defeat to Serena Williams on Monday, Francesca Schiavone slumped into the arms of a ballboy on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The Italian veteran was looking at a double-bagel in her first round tie after being given the run around by the defending champion when she embraced the startled youngster.
“I don’t need a hug in that moment. I needed a game, points,” said the 33-year-old former French Open champion. “I went to the ballboy to say, ‘Well, that’s tough.’ It was just a joke.”
Meanwhile, cancer survivor Alisa Kleybanova, who enjoyed a winning return to Grand Slam tennis on Monday, pleaded with fans not to pity her after her courageous battle for survival. The 24-year-old Russian was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphona in 2011, an illness which forced her off tour until May this year.
“I’m happy that all those things are over for me now.”