Italy’s Flavia Pennetta pulls off shock US Open victory, then drops another bombshell: ‘I’m retiring’
Oldest first-time women’s grand slam champion defeats compatriot and friend-since-childhood Roberta Vinci in straight sets
Flavia Pennetta won her first grand slam singles title over Roberta Vinci in an improbable all-Italian US Open final on Saturday, then added one more shock to a stunning fortnight by announcing her retirement.
With the 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win, the 33-year-old Pennetta becomes the fourth oldest grand slam winner in the Open Era and joins 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone as the only Italian women to win a major singles title.
This one was my last match at the US Open and I couldn’t think to finish a better way
But as the celebrations kicked into high gear, Pennetta dropped a bombshell that provided a dramatic finish to the year’s final grand slam and her career.
After embracing childhood friend and Fed Cup teammate Vinci at the net a smiling Pennetta stood at centre court during the trophy presentation and told a capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium that included Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi that she would retire.
“This is the way I would like to say goodbye to tennis,” she said before hoisting the trophy and accepting the US$3.3 million winner’s cheque. “I’m really happy. It’s what all the players seem to want to do, to go out with this big trophy.
“And so this one was my last match at the US Open and I couldn’t think to finish a better way.”
