Articles on Irina Spirlea
The Wimbledon Official Programme 1998
Romania usually gets overlooked when we think of accomplised tennis nations. But not only did Irina Spirlea finish 1997 inside the top 10, Ruxandra Dragomir climed as high as 15. I the past there was Ilie Mastase, of course, and Viriginia Ruzici, who were both enormously successful. Then there was Marianne Simonescu (who temporarily marries Bjorn Borg) and French Open finalist Florenta Mihai. Decent players. Still, it was tough for Irina Spirlea to make her way out of the confines of the old - stlye eastern Europe.
"It was difficult because I couldn't go out and play a lot of junior tournaments", she admits, "We went only to Russia and Bulgaria, and they weren't so tough. It was frustrating, but it was like this and there was nothing we could do.
Everybody was in the same situation. But I was lucky because I could go out after the revolution. I was 18, and there was still time to do something".
Even getting equipment to play with was a challenge. You couldn't just pop down the high treet and pick up the latest Dunlop or Prince racket and Air Nike shoes. Irina though had an advantage over many.
"I was lucky because my Father had a friend in Italy and he was giving to me some things, and my Father was also a sportsman so it was better.
Otherwise it could have been difficult for me to play", she said.
Now we can see the results.
Go to Ace Article on Irina
Go to Irina's Biography
Voice your opinions on the Message Forum
To see some Pictures of Irina in action Click Here
Return to The Unofficial Irina Spirlea Fan Page Click Here
Please sign the guest book Sign Guestbook
To read the guest book Click Here
© 1998 Mail Caz
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The Wimbledon Official Programme 1998
Romania usually gets overlooked when we think of accomplised tennis nations. But not only did Irina Spirlea finish 1997 inside the top 10, Ruxandra Dragomir climed as high as 15. I the past there was Ilie Mastase, of course, and Viriginia Ruzici, who were both enormously successful. Then there was Marianne Simonescu (who temporarily marries Bjorn Borg) and French Open finalist Florenta Mihai. Decent players. Still, it was tough for Irina Spirlea to make her way out of the confines of the old - stlye eastern Europe.
"It was difficult because I couldn't go out and play a lot of junior tournaments", she admits, "We went only to Russia and Bulgaria, and they weren't so tough. It was frustrating, but it was like this and there was nothing we could do.
Everybody was in the same situation. But I was lucky because I could go out after the revolution. I was 18, and there was still time to do something".
Even getting equipment to play with was a challenge. You couldn't just pop down the high treet and pick up the latest Dunlop or Prince racket and Air Nike shoes. Irina though had an advantage over many.
"I was lucky because my Father had a friend in Italy and he was giving to me some things, and my Father was also a sportsman so it was better.
Otherwise it could have been difficult for me to play", she said.
Now we can see the results.
Go to Ace Article on Irina
Go to Irina's Biography
Voice your opinions on the Message Forum
To see some Pictures of Irina in action Click Here
Return to The Unofficial Irina Spirlea Fan Page Click Here
Please sign the guest book Sign Guestbook
To read the guest book Click Here
© 1998 Mail Caz
This page was created by Caz and
hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page
Romania usually gets overlooked when we think of accomplised tennis nations. But not only did Irina Spirlea finish 1997 inside the top 10, Ruxandra Dragomir climed as high as 15. I the past there was Ilie Mastase, of course, and Viriginia Ruzici, who were both enormously successful. Then there was Marianne Simonescu (who temporarily marries Bjorn Borg) and French Open finalist Florenta Mihai. Decent players. Still, it was tough for Irina Spirlea to make her way out of the confines of the old - stlye eastern Europe.
"It was difficult because I couldn't go out and play a lot of junior tournaments", she admits, "We went only to Russia and Bulgaria, and they weren't so tough. It was frustrating, but it was like this and there was nothing we could do.
Everybody was in the same situation. But I was lucky because I could go out after the revolution. I was 18, and there was still time to do something".
Even getting equipment to play with was a challenge. You couldn't just pop down the high treet and pick up the latest Dunlop or Prince racket and Air Nike shoes. Irina though had an advantage over many.
"I was lucky because my Father had a friend in Italy and he was giving to me some things, and my Father was also a sportsman so it was better.
Otherwise it could have been difficult for me to play", she said.
Now we can see the results.
Go to Ace Article on Irina
Go to Irina's Biography
Voice your opinions on the Message Forum
To see some Pictures of Irina in action Click Here
Return to The Unofficial Irina Spirlea Fan Page Click Here
Please sign the guest book Sign Guestbook
To read the guest book Click Here
© 1998 Mail Caz
This page was created by Caz and
hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page