With the 7-6(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 title, reports Reuters
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 Prime Matteo Renzi that she would retire.
“Before I start this tournament one month ago I take a big decision in my life,” she said before hoisting the trophy and accepting the $3.3 million winner’s check. “This is the way I would like to say goodbye to tennis.
“I’m really happy. It’s what all the players seem to want to do, to go out with this big trophy home.
“And so this one was my last match at the US Open and I couldn’t think to finish a better way.”
The final was set up by jaw-dropping upsets as unseeded Vinci knocked off world No 1 Serena Williams in the semifinals to end the 33-year-old American’s quest for a calendar year Grand Slam.
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