Pennetta announces retirement after US Open win over Vinci

Flavia Pennetta announced her immediate retirement from tennis after upstaging fellow Italian Roberta Vinci in the US Open final.

The win makes Pennetta, 33, the oldest first-time women’s grand slam champion in professional tennis history.

The Italian took the spoils with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 victory at Flushing Meadows on Saturday in the first all-Italian grand slam final.

Roberta Vinci was proud of her run at this year’s US Open despite her defeat in the final to her compatriot Flavia Pennetta in straight sets.

The 43rd ranked player believes it was a proud day for Italy having two players in the final and despite Pennetta’s retirement said she has no plans as yet to call it quits.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, so maybe when I saw her in my mind I remember all the moments that we spend together when I was young,” said Vinci.

“I was tired especially in the first set. She was more solid than me and she played much better backhand.  She deserved to win.”

Roberta qualified for the finals after beating World number one Serena Williams while Pennetta beat Simona Halep in the semi-final clash.