Spanish women’s tennis has been well represented over the past few decades. The most recognized names include Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the 1990s, followed by Garbiñe Muguruza in more recent years and Paula Badosa in the present. Between those generations stood Virginia Ruano Pascual, better known as “Vivi”.

While she is best remembered for her doubles success alongside Argentina’s Paola Suarez, Ruano Pascual also earned singles titles and recorded a memorable victory in 2001 over the then-world No.1 on the WTA Tour.

Born on September 21, 1973, in Madrid, she turned professional in 1992 after a long journey through the junior ranks. In a 2020 interview with El Español, Ruano Pascual reflected on her beginnings: “I did a lot of sports as a child. I started with gymn

See Full Page