Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

For the first time in its history, the Rock Hill Rocks Open professional women’s tennis tournament has a past singles champion returning to compete.

Romina Oprandi, 29, of Switzerland plans to play in the 2015 Rock Hill Rocks Open, a $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit event.  The first tournament was held in 2009, and Romina won the 2011 event.

“My memories from 2011 are, of course, very good,” said Romina, a right-handed baseline player with a drop shot.  “The people and the tournament are really nice.  I’m looking forward to coming to play again in Rock Hill.  ”

Coached by her brother, Romeo Oprandi, Romina has tasted on-court success during the last five months.  She is currently ranked 114 in the world in women’s singles, and she is the top seed in this year’s Rock Hill tournament.

“My year until now was surprisingly very well,” said Romina.  “I had a fifth shoulder surgery the end of February, and couldn’t play for three months (mid February through early May).  So, I never expected to get back like this, winning tournaments.”

She has won three $25,000 Pro Circuit tournaments since May, two in Germany and one in Tunisia.  She also was a finalist in two events, including a $100,000 event in France in September.  All of those events were held on clay, her favorite surface.

She was a semi-finalist on hard courts at a $50,000 Pro Circuit event in Las Vegas earlier this month.  That tournament and the Rock Hill event are the only two events she plans to play in the United States this year.

“I don’t think my style has changed a lot since I got older,” said Romina, who has been a professional tennis player for 15 years.  “Just because of all the surgeries, I had to do some technical changes, which aren’t that easy.”

When not on the courts, Romina, who lives in Switzerland’s capital, Bern, enjoys watching TV and movies.  She likes Spanish music, and she watches ice hockey.

Switzerland is one of more than 30 countries represented in this year’s event.  It’s the most diverse group of players in the history of the tournament.

The Rock Hill Rocks Open, presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, will be October 11 to 18 at the Rock Hill Tennis Center in Rock Hill, SC.  The tournament features women tennis players from around the world competing for prize money and ranking points.  Some competitors are ranked within the top 150 players in the world.

Singles and doubles matches are held during daylight hours on the tennis center’s 11 hard courts.  All matches are open to the public to watch for free.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.