SINGAPORE - All year we've been asking you to write in and tell us how the WTA stars inspire you, all part of this year's new marketing campaign, Power To Inspire. And recently we asked you to write in about the newest Grand Slam champion, Flavia Pennetta, who took the tennis world by storm in NYC.
Here are 20 of your best submissions about the Italian trailblazer - thank you all for writing in!
"The best is yet to come" should be the thing all players, or people in general, remember throughout their career or life. Even if things aren't working out, you can still work harder, be patient and passionate and achieve one goal at a time. Flavia has proven this with her magnificent victory at the end of a long career. Her spirit is truly inspiring.
~ Jonathan, Belgium
I've followed Flavia's career since 2003 when I first saw her play against Justine Henin in the second round at Wimbledon. I thought she was so good and seeing all the things she has been through in her career (surgery, etc.) it is her belief in her dreams, despite all adversity, that is so endearing and incredibly inspiring. You deserve it so very much Flavia xx ~ Alexandre, Portugal
The 2015 US Open women's final had a quietly subtle power; it was the embodiment of elegance, heart, authenticity and friendship. And it reminded me of why I fell in love with tennis to begin with: once in a while, the girl-next-door can beat the invincible goddess. Once in a while, hard work is rewarded with something tangible and all those days and nights these athletes toiled, sometimes in empty stadiums, are completely worth it. ~ Cathleen, USA
Flavia has now defined the word inspirational. In a US Open when all the focus was on the one who was about to complete the Grand Slam, a couple of charming Italian veteran best friends didn't read the script that everyone assumed had already been written. Flavia defines inspiration for the completion of an absolute fairytale in which the good triumph happily ever after, which is particularly apt given her sudden shock retirement announcement in her winner's speech. She inspires because she is gracious, charming and generous to her opponents (has there ever been a Grand Slam final where the finalists chat in chairs next to each other at the match's completion and it is impossible to tell who is the victor and who is the loser?) And finally as many players noted she inspires for her beautiful smile. What a fairytale! Occasionally in tennis, as in life, the good triumph! ~ Andrew, Australia
I think the most inspiring thing about Flavia winning the US Open title was the fact that it showed me that if you work hard and give it your all every day, great things can happen, it's never too late to make dreams come true. It's not just a lesson for tennis but also a great example that can inspire us in life. Her win couldn't come at a better time for me personally because I needed to witness something as inspirational as this to sort out my own life. Thank you for that Flavia. Also I wish you the best on your new life in retirement. I bet you'll rock at whatever you decide to do :) ~ Tyler, USA
Flavia has been on the tour for many years and now that she is going to retire, she'll leave a big gap in the world of tennis. She has been the first Italian female tennis player to reach the Top 10, she has won many tournaments (including Indian Wells and the US Open) and four Fed Cups, but, most of all, even if she has had so many problems during her career, she had the strength to come back stronger than before. Life is so full of problems and this is what we have to do, to be back stronger than we were! So how could Flavia not inspire me? #grazieFlavia ~ Matteo, Italy
Flavia already had a wonderful career - No.1 in doubles, Top 10 in singles, a major doubles title and a member of the amazing Italian Fed Cup team that won multiple titles. She could have stopped on numerous occasions, but she dared to persevere to find out how far she could go. I could not be happier that she won the US Open in one of the most joyous matches I have ever witnessed. I wish her all the best. ~ Scott, USA
Playing completely unabashed, Pennetta, feeling relieved of the burdens of pressure and expectation, summoned the best tennis of her life, proving most importantly to herself that she has the game to be a Grand Slam champion! Inspiring all of us, not just tennis players, that if you give 110%, let go of your doubts and fears and live in the moment, there are no limits on what you can achieve! It was the final that dreams are made of. Pennetta and Vinci have inspired the next generation of young girls to pick up a racquet. It is moments like these that inject energy and hope into our hearts and imagination, and even a little magic! ~ Portia, Canada
Flavia Pennetta is a class act. She played focused and professional tennis. She carried herself with control and calmness. She was an example of how more ladies and men players should act on the court. She also showed grace and gratitude when she won. Finally, she left the game on her terms and on top. Yes, I'm very inspired by her performance and class act on the court. ~ Royal, USA
Penetta's Grand Slam victory is one for the ages. It shows that with the right effort and the right time anything can happen. Flavia has inspired me to believe and overcome setbacks. After all her ordeals she came out strong with belief and strength. Her retirement has come at the right time as it is on a high. I will always look to Flavia Pennetta as the Grand Slam champion and the woman who dreamed. I dream too and it is these dreams that can transform into miracles and I am inspired with the motivation to wait for that day just like Flavia Penetta. ~ Shahzar, Saudi Arabia
Flavia has shown that you are never too old to reach your goals. It is never too late to make your dreams come true. With self-confidence, a strong belief and people around you who love and care about you, you can be able to do everything you want whenever you want. It's all about you! Believe yourself! ~ André, Germany
Flavia inspires me. She has quick feet, soft hands and moves like a dancer out there. She has all the shots. Winning at Indian Wells was an incredible achievement after wrist surgery but to defend the title this year under so much pressure and against Sharapova was courage personified. And then to make that run to win at the US Open with her friend Roberta to share it with. Wow! Flavia keeps getting better. One more year! Forza! ~ Todd, USA
What inspires me? Well, Flavia was one of the first players I ever watched. And to see her playing that well, her best level at this age, inspires me so much! She is such a fighter. That is fantastic. Pennetta's tennis is so elegant, so much effect and variety. I love that! And this makes me want to be better and better. I just love to watch Flavia playing because she's one of my inspirations to play tennis. Love you Flavia! ~ Pedro, Brazil
Flavia is, and always has been, fantastic! She deserves all this praise as she has always gone under the radar, enduring many hard times along the way. The tweets from other players and people around the world show what a popular player and person she is. She will be missed by everyone, but she will go down in history as a Grand Slam champion against all odds! She inspires everyone to never give up and to take those difficult decisions, when no-one expects it! ~ Nick, UK
Those who fight through a serious illness or injury to reach the top level again are always a great inspiration. Pennetta, like Sharapova or even Serena Williams, could have decided to quit when they had to face serious health problems. They didn't. She didn't, even if it was hard to try again. Thank you Flavia. Grazie. ~ Doriana, Italy
Flavia's win at the Open inspired me to keep dreaming and working hard no matter how old I get. At 33 she did the what people thought was impossible! Now she's the 2015 US OPEN CHAMPION! :) ~ Ron, USA
I try and model my game after hers, yes I'm a dude but I love her game... she glides, uses angles, bangs her backhand beautifully and topspins forehands like a goddess. Her demeanor on and off the court... nobody I love watching play this game more than our Flavia :)) ~ Steven, USA
She has been such a role model over the last 15 years. She got through struggles, difficulties, injuries and even surgery. Each time she was on the brink of giving up, she came back stronger than before. It's not just about tennis, it's about life and the way people should face every moment. Love you Flavia! ~ Ismaele, Italy
Flavia's experience taught me about never give up, even in your toughest and darkest moments. Not only this, but Flavia also inspired a whole generation of Italian tennis players, because thanks to her Italy has lived a golden age in tennis, in fact she was the first Italian player to break the Top 10 wall. I would like to finish by sharing a lyric from Rachel Platten's hit Fight Song: "And I don't really care if nobody else believes, cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me." I think it sums up Flavia's triumph.~ Dimitri, Italy
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