For Flavia Pennetta, summing up her tumultuous, shocking, fascinating and heart-warming US Open triumph was easily described in a single word.
“Perfect.”
Pennetta, the oldest maiden grand slam finalist in the Open era, became the first Italian to win the US Open women’s crown and did so on Saturday with an efficient 7-6(4) 6-2 victory over childhood friend and compatriot Roberta Vinci.
Before accepting the trophy and $3.3 million for the win that easily marked the greatest triumph of her career, the 33-year-old announced her retirement.
This one was my last US Open match and I couldn’t think to finish in a better way.
Two weeks ago, no one could have predicted a final between the 26th-ranked Pennetta, then rated a 150-1 outsider, and the 43rd-ranked Vinci, an even more unfancied 300-1.
However, both players refused to be swayed by the odds and fought their way through to the most unlikely title showdown that put Italy firmly in the spotlight of New York’s gaze.
Pennetta, who is engaged to fellow Italian tennis player, Fabio Fognini, said she would play to the end of this season, including tournaments in Wuhan, Beijing and possibly the elite eight-woman WTA Finals in Singapore.
Adding to their collective joy, Fognini also had a magical moment at the Open, coming back from two sets down to eliminate 14-times grand slam winner Rafa Nadal in the third round with an inspired performance.
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