At the age of 33 Flavia Pennetta became the oldest first-time Grand Slam champion in the modern era. The Italian was 200-1 to claim the title two weeks ago, but defied the odds by beating fellow countrywoman and close friend Roberta Vinci to claim the US Open crown. The triumph in New York shocked many people, but her words after the spectacular win was even more shocking.
After keeping it a secret for over a month, the world number 26 confirmed that she will retire at the end of 2015. The decision was made during the Rogers Cup in Toronto last month, but Pennetta kept it a secret. The only people that knew of her decision was her coaching team, family and boyfriend Fabio Fognini. Shortly after claiming her maiden Grand Slam title, Pennetta explained why she has decided to end her career.
“Sometimes it’s getting hard for me to compete. This is the important point. When you are on the court, when you have to play 24 weeks in the year, you have to fight every week. And if you don’t fight every week in the same way I did today, it’s gonna be bad. Sometimes I don’t feel to have this power anymore. So this is the perfect moment, I think. It was a really hard decision to make, but I’m really happy that I did it. I’m really happy and proud of myself”. She said in her after match press conference
As the news of her retirement broke out, players on both the ATP and WTA tour took to social media to wish the 33-year-old a happy retirement.
That was so beautiful @flaviapennetta . Congratulations and good luck in the next chapter of your life!!!!!🏆👏❤️
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) September 12, 2015
Incredible way to end a career. #Pennetta #USOpen — Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) September 12, 2015
@flavia_pennetta congrats I’m so happy you won. You deserved it. I am also happy for the rest of your life’s journey. I will miss your smile
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 12, 2015
Congrats to @flavia_pennetta 😊 so well deserved US open champ 🏆 all the best for the new chapter in your life!! We will all miss you! — Annika Beck (@BeckAnnika) September 12, 2015
Wow!! @flavia_pennetta talking about finishing off in style!! Couldn’t happen to a nicer person! Congratulation and happy retirement!!💃🎉🏆
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 12, 2015
you will be missed beyond words bella @flavia_pennetta ❤️ happy retirement! — Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) September 12, 2015
Flavi with the best mic drop of all time! So well deserved. Happy happy retirement @flavia_pennetta #champ
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) September 12, 2015
Wow! How cool was that? Talk about walking off in style …. — andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 12, 2015
What an amazing match! Congrats @flavia_pennetta so well deserved! Amazing career and what an inspiring person! What a way to end a career!
— Alison Van Uytvanck (@AlisonVanUytvan) September 12, 2015
Pennetta isn’t the first player to retire shortly after winning her first Grand Slam title. Marion Bartoli retired a week after winning the 2013 Wimbledon title at the age of 28. Pennetta is scheduled to play in Wuhan and Beijing before she retires. She could also play in the WTA Finals in Singapore at the end of the season. Pennetta is currently ranked 6th in the race to the finals following her US Open triumph.
