Stories
Biography
- Mother introduced her to tennis at age 10 ... Coached by husband Francesco Elia ... All-court style; best shot is forehand ... Married on September 22, 1999 ... Parents, Carlo and Aida, are insurance agents and both play recreational tennis; sister, Olga, is also an insurance agent; brother, Enrico, restores furniture ... Between tournaments likes to go to the beach ... Hobbies include listening to music (especially Italian) and watching movies (especially dramas) ... Favorite actors are Tom Cruise and Kevin Costner ... Enjoys soccer, in-line skating and skiing ... Favorite food is properly-cooked Italian pasta and pizza.
Plays
Right-HandedCareer High
11Height
5' 7 3/4'' (1.72 m)Birthday
Apr 27, 1972 April 27, 1972Birthplace
Milan, ItalyCareer Highlights
SINGLES
Winner (3): 2003 - Strasbourg; 2002 - Strasbourg; 2001 - Strasbourg; 1993 - ITF/Limoges-FRA; 1991 - ITF/Caltagirone-ITA.
Finalist (10): 2005 - Amelia Island; 2004 - Canberra, Antwerp; 2001 - Gold Coast; 1999 - Prostejov; 1998 - Auckland, Budapest, Warsaw, Luxembourg; 1991 - San Marino.
DOUBLES
Winner (9): 2004 - Warsaw (w/Schiavone); 2001 - Strasbourg (w/Tulyaganova); 2000 - Palermo (w/Grande); 1999 - Auckland (w/Schett), Æs-Hertogenbosch (w/Grande), Portschach (w/Habsudova); 1998 - Prague (w/Habsudova); 1997 - Palermo (w/Schett); 1995 - Maria Lankowitz (w/Temesvari).
Finalist (8): 2005 - Gold Coast (w/Camerin); 2004 - Paris [Indoors] (w/Schiavone); 2003 - Linz (w/Bartoli); 2000 - Hannover (w/Habsudova); 1997 - Gold Coast (w/Dragomir); 1996 - Moscow (w/Schett); 1993 - Palermo (w/B.Schultz); 1990 - Taranto (w/Grande).
ADDITIONAL
Italian Fed Cup Team 1993-95, 1997-2000, 2002, 2004. Italian Olympic Team 1996, 2000, 2004.
