Time To Say Goodbye: Curly Cutie Patty Says 'Adieu'

Patty Schnyder's breakthrough came in 1998 when the crafty lefty won five WTA titles and made it to the quarterfinals at both Roland Garros and US Open. Ever since, she has been a constant presence among the best 20 players in the world, making it as far as to number 7 in November 2005. Her huge list of accomplishments recommends her as one of the finest champions of her generation.

Blooming with talent and intelligence, the Swiss always struggled with her consistency. While one day she was capable of beating the best players in the world, the next one she would lose to a much lower ranked opponent. Even so, there were times when the magic of her game and her talent got her out of trouble. Patty was one of those players who played with the heart. She was emotional, fragile, but tough enough to ensure a fierce battle. Although she does not possess the power to match the modern game, her tricky, left handed shots always put her on contention. During her lengthy career, she has made a name for herself of beating no.1 ranked players such as Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Ana Ivanovic or Caroline Wozniacki.

Patty’s curly WTA journey

The gifted Swiss rose to prominence at the French Open when she reached her maiden quarterfinal at the major, following a win over South-African Amanda Coetzer. Her run was ended by eventual champion, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.

Patty backed it up with a second Grand Slam quarterfinal, defeating all-time great, Steffi Graf at the US Open.

Having turned pro in 1994, Patty rose to fame in 1998. She experienced an incredible season which saw her win 5 title, in Hobart, Hannover, Madrid, Maria Lankowitz and Palermo. Additionally, she played the final of the Grand Slam Cup, losing to Venus Williams after having survived a tough battle with Hingis in the semis. Moreover, she reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinals, at Roland Garros (i.e. lost to Sanchez Vicario) and the US Open (i.e. lost to Novotna). At Flushing Meadows she recorded one of the biggest wins of her career by defeating Steffi Graft 6-3, 6-4 in the round 16. 

Patty was also a dedicated Fed Cup advocate. In 1998, teaming up with then world number 1 Martina Hingis, the duo made it to the finals, achieving the best performance for their country. They came 1 win short of fulfilling the Swiss dream, with Schnyder succumbing in both her singles rounds to Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.

After stunning world No.1 Jennifer Capriati and all-time great Serena Williams, Patty Schnyder lost the 2002 Family Circle Cup to former Roland Garros champion, Iva Majoli.

After a couple of dark seasons, Patty finally put on her best display with a superb run at the 2002 Family Circle Cup. I think that week was the best I ever saw her play. She was focus, edgy, brilliant at times, and most important, she was able to carry the momentum for more consecutive matches. After disposing of French ladies Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce, the curly Swiss faced American Serena Williams in the quarters. It was a stunning performance by Schnyder. She countered Serena's immense power with sublime, classy shots, showcasing the breadth of her repertoire. A 7-5 third set win was followed by a quick dismissal of reigning world number 1 Jennifer Capriati in the semis, 6-4, 6-3. Having worked so hard for the title, Patty spoiled it all with a shaky performance against Croat Iva Majoli in the final. Another lapse and another wasted opportunity. Nevertheless, I genuinely think that this was the best week of Schnyder's career.

Eventually, Schnyder was able to capitalize on an incredible 2002 season, by winning the biggest trophy of her career in Zürich. On home soil, the Swiss was back at her utmost best, winning tough battles with Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, Conchita Martinez and ultimately, with American Lindsay Davenport. This was definitely a time of extreme joy for Schnyder who recalls this success as the highlight of her career. When asked which her most valuable tennis memory is, Patty answered almost instantaneously: “It has been definitely the win in Zurich, the biggest tournament I won, and especially at home”.
 

Although she struggled with her constancy, Schnyder experienced Grand Slam success at the 2004 Australian Open. After a relatively slow start in her first two rounds (i.e. three sets wins over Angelique Widjaja and Marion Bartoli), Patty found her range and progressed smoothly through the draw. Her wins over Paola Suarez, Nathalie Dechy and Lisa Raymond saw her contest her only Grand Slam semifinal. Although she lost to Belgian Kim Clijsters, this was the closest she has been to fulfilling her long-time dream. When asked if she has any regrets looking back at her career, Patty answered: "not being into a Grand Slam final is definitely one of my dreams, but now after all, this goal can only be a dream...” Nonetheless, she is at peace, being confident she did her best given all the many, dramatic and varied circumstances of her career.

Patty's claycourt expertise shone through again in 2005, when the Swiss played the final at the Foro Italico in Rome. Having disposed of the Rusian Maria Sharapova in the semis, Schnyder lost in a tough three-setter to Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo.

Patty's collected her eleventh trophy in Bali in 2008. It was a fine run of form from the Swiss who captured the title without losing a set. She disposed of Chinese Yuan, Polish Domachowska, Russian Petrova and Austrian Tamira Paszek. This was Schnyder's last WTA title.

Patty played her last WTA tour final in Linz in 2010. The Swiss made one last effort to turn things around and prove she is still a force to be reckoned with. Although she lost to a reinvigorated Ana Ivanovic, Schnyder's wins over Hantuchova and Petkovic attest that she still had some gas left in her tank.

Making her 59th Grand Slam appearance, sixth on the all-time list of Grand Slam participants in the Open Era, Patty Schnyder's 2011 Roland Garros was short-lived, the Swiss losing her first round clash with Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Subsequently, the 32 years old Swiss announced her immediate retirement, making an emotional exit from tennis. The decision was somehow spontaneous: “The evening after singles (at the French Open) I said, “I’ve reached my 100%”, Schnyder said. “That’s just a feeling of my heart. It feels right.”

Tennis is a changing game. While some players enter the show, some depart from it. Patty was a unique champions, a raw talent and an inspiration for many. She leaves a void in women's tennis that will be hard to fill. Adieu Patty! Enjoy your life and hope to hear exciting things from you soon!

photos: GETTY IMAGES