Born in Rome, tennis player, Susanna Giovanardi grew up in The Eternal City with her mum, dad and big brother Davide. It was a beautiful childhood, surrounded by tennis, school and the loving embrace of her family. Those days remain some of the best memories of her life. ” I really love Rome, I think it is the most beautiful city in the world,” Susanna tells us. “You can walk everywhere and in every corner, you can find something really amazing, it leaves me without words every time.”
It was during her childhood that her love for tennis began to shine through. Encouraged by her mother, a tennis teacher, Susanna started playing at just the age of 5. Come rain or shine, she would practice each and every day.
In those early days, it was just a game. It was all about enjoyment and fun, but by the age of 9, it soon became apparent that tennis was always going to be more than just a game for Susanna.
Her ability and athleticism set her apart from others and she was soon recognised as being an incredibly talented prospect, entering national and international tournaments. “I began winning some of them and I started dreaming about becoming a famous tennis player and I’m still working hard to reach that dream.”
Susanna, who also has a degree in ‘Physical education’ and in ‘Management dello sport,’ would eventually move away from Rome to find a new home in Milan, where she would continue to pursue her career in tennis with the ambition of one day reaching the dream that keeps her motivated every day.
“I left behind my favourite city and I moved to Milan, which I have to say is beautiful too. I moved here to play tennis with the ex-tennis champion, Francesca Schiavone, she was number 4 in the world and now she is my coach. I train hard every day, twice a day, to get where I want to be.”
Not only is Susanna a supremely talented athlete, she is also an incredibly striking young woman, who looks every inch the supermodel often seen walking through the fashionable streets of Milan. A classic and natural Italian beauty she is just as at home in front of the camera as she is on the tennis courts.
“I really enjoy modelling, I love it. It helps me a lot as well because it can pay for my tennis career. I think there are a lot of opportunities in the future to do a lot more work in modelling.”
For just now though, her main focus is on the game she still loves, “I have achieved many goals along the way, and I’m happy about my journey because I know it’s really hard to become a champion. I need to remain calm and constructive along the journey I’m on, and that can help me go far.”
Tennis remains one of the most physically demanding and competitive individual sports in the world and it is one that Susanna is continuing to put everything into, “I train hard every day 8 hours a day, trying to do my best. My biggest challenge is to enter the top 100 of the world.” Learning alongside Francesca Schiavone, whilst enduring a demanding training schedule, coupled with her fierce determination and work ethic, is something that Susanna believes she can achieve.
Throughout her life and career, there have been immense highs and lows, however, there has always been one piece of advice that she has kept close to her heart. “I think the most important thing I was ever told was to, ‘Trust the process.’ For me, this means that if you work hard every day, try to do your best, set yourself small goals every day, accept the bad days and enjoy the little achievements then you will arrive. I think this is the best advice for anybody who wants to play tennis because otherwise, you will put yourself under a lot of pressure and with the pressure you can’t do anything.”
To reach the top in any profession requires dedication and an elite mentality attitude, but it’s also knowing when to switch off from the game and allow your body and mind to relax. In between an intensive schedule of training and modelling, Susanna tries to maintain a work-life balance.
“I love to travel. I visit a lot of places. As I said before, Rome is my home, and some of my other favourite places to visit are New York, Formentera, Petra, San Diego, Cape Town, and Capri. I also love to visit museums, art galleries, and churches. I think because I was born in Rome I became passionate about culture. I also have a passion for books and read a lot. My favourites to read are detective novels. I also love to watch movies and TV series, and spend time with my family and my boyfriend Andrea.”
As the curtain gets ready to close on 2023, and with the hope and optimism of 2024 nearly upon us, I ask Susanna what her dreams are for the year ahead. “For me, the most important thing in my life is my family.” I won’t tell you my hopes for 2024 though, because I’m a little superstitious. But for sure, I will spend the year on tennis courts, trying to do my best.”
All our thanks to the wonderful Susanna Giovanardi.
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