RPT-FEATURE-Tennis-Fed Cup win puts Italians in the limelight

By Marie-Louise Gumuchian

REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy, Nov 13 (Reuters) - When Italy won the Fed Cup final last weekend, the screaming crowds and the buzzing media covering the event showed just how much tennis has moved up on the public radar in the soccer-mad nation.

Fans of all ages filled out a nearly 5,000-strong stadium during the two-day final in Reggio Calabria, on the toe of Italy, and newspapers praised the 4-0 victory over the United States on their front pages.

The team was then hailed when they appeared on one of Italy's most popular late night television chat shows.

It was the second time Italy had won the title -- after beating Belgium in 2006 -- and media were ready to boast about becoming the top-ranked Fed Cup nation for the first time.

"We have made a massive step forward, I can see it today with all of you here," Italy's world number 12 Flavia Pennetta told reporters at a Fed Cup final news conference.

"A few years ago, our press coverage used to be tiny. Now it is a little more consistent. This means that there is more attention towards us and let's hope that it stays like that."

Italian Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of the International Tennis Federation, told reporters the media coverage of the final had "exceeded expectations".

Italy, helped by Serena and Venus Williams again opting not to compete for the U.S., cruised to the title with Pennetta setting up the victory when she beat Melanie Oudin in the third singles rubber.