adminNEW YORK. — Italian tennis star Flavia Pennetta captured her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open on Saturday and said she was happy to head into retirement. The 33-year-old beat fellow Italian Roberta Vinci 7-6 (7 /4), 6-2 to become the oldest first time women’s winner at a major.
She then stunned the 23 000 crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium by announcing her retirement, admitting she had made the decision to quit before the tournament began.
“Before I started this tournament one month ago, I took a big decision about my life,” said the 26th seed.
“I decided that this is the way I would say goodbye to tennis. This is my last US Open and I couldn’t think of finishing in a better way.”
Playing in her 11th US Open, Pennetta said she was stunned to have gone so far in the competition.
“I’m really happy. I never thought I would get so far and never thought I would be a champion. This is one of my favourite tournaments, I enjoy playing here,” she said of an event where she has consistently recorded her best results at the majors. — AFP.
Online Reporter