As the World Cup kicks off, defending champion Italy is drawing inspiration from Francesca Schiavone's run to the French Open title.
''On Saturday afternoon, in the room in Geneva, I was glued to the TV," Italy's football coach Marcello Lippi told the ANSA news agency.
''Her performance was symbolic of my Italy—passion, determination, class and heart. And I also liked what she had to say afterward—that she had limitless energy, and that she exceeded even her own limits.
"In 2004 I had the example of the Olympic [gold medal-winning women's water polo team] Setterosa as a reference point. Today it is Schiavone.
"From now on she will be the image of our World Cup."