Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency:  Golder’s News And Sport 

This is the picture former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone has posted showing how her hair as it grows back following a successful fight against cancer.

Retired Italian professional tennis player Schiavone, 39, announced that she had been fighting cancer in a post she made in mid-December of last year.

The tennis ace did not reveal the type of cancer she had but wrote a caption on a video which said: “Upon 7-8 (months) of silence from social media and from the world, I wish to share with you what happened to me.

“A cancer had been diagnosed to me. I did chemotherapy, I fought a tough battle and now I am still breathing. I have won this fight. And now I am back in action”.

The former tennis champion most recently posted a picture where she can be seen smiling and tugging at her hair with a white arrow pointing at her scalp.

She captioned the picture: “Happiness! It grows a lot! Happiness!”

Netizens, impressed by Schiavone’s photo, took to social media to show their support for her courage and grit.

‘antobellodentro’ said: “A true fighter inside and outside the court! Best of luck for your new project!”

Another one ‘uta_dag__design’ commented: “Congratulations beauty!”

Schiavone became the first Italian woman to win a singles Grand Slam, beating Australian tennis player Samantha Stosur 6-4, 7-6 to become the French Open champion in 2010.

She won a total of eight WTA singles titles and reached her highest rank of world number four in January 2011.

Schiavone announced her retirement at the US Open in September 2018, stressing that she would love to win another Grand Slam but as a coach.

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