Pennetta bows out Queen of Queens
In the euphoria of winning her first grand slam title, Flavia Pennetta announced her US Open victory will be her last in tennis. At 33 she has retired from the professional game.
The stunning announcement came just after Pennetta beat fellow Italian and childhood friend Roberta Vinci 7-6 (4) 6-2 to become the first Italian winner of the US Open and the oldest first-time victor in a women’s grand slam tournament.
‘‘Before I start this tournament one month ago I take a big decision in my life,’’ Pennetta said before hoisting the trophy and accepting the US$3.3 million (NZ$5.2m) winner’s cheque.
‘‘This is the way I would like to say goodbye to tennis. I’m really happy. Is what all the players seem to want to do, to go out with this big trophy home.’’
Glory in the first all-Italian grand slam final yesterdaycrowned a remarkable comeback after Pennetta had pondered retirement last year while battling a debilitating wrist injury.
The Fed Cup team-mates and former doubles partners warmly embraced at the net before Pennetta celebrated her stunning triumph with her entourage including boyfriend Fabio Fognino, the third-round conquerer of former men’s champion Rafael Nadal.
In addition to becoming the third-oldest grand slam champion behind all-time greats Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams in the 47-year open era, Pennetta set new standards for patience.
Contesting her 49th career major, no woman has waited longer to break through at a grand slam.
The 26th seed took out Australians Jarmila Gajdosova and 2011 champion Samantha Stosur en route to the title, the 11th and by far the biggest in a career previously highlighted by a stint as the world’s top-ranked doubles player.
The world No
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Vinci was unable to follow up her spectacular semifinal defeat of world No 1 and grand slam chaser Serena Williams, the 32-year-old’s challenge ending in one hour and 33 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The title match also featured the oldest two first-time grand slam finalists.
The pair traded service breaks in the sixth and eighth games before Pennetta claimed the first set in a tiebreaker.
Pennetta, who’d won both her previous grand slam encounters with Vinci and enjoyed a 5-4 headto-head edge overall entering the final, powered to a 4-0 lead second set before breaking her good friend for a fourth time to reign as the queen of Queens.