After winning her maiden Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, Flavia Pennetta announced that this would be her last year on the WTA before retiring at the end of the season.
Pennetta Announces Retirement
Pennetta announced the bittersweet news just moments after winning her first Grand Slam singles title at Flushing Meadows, during the trophy ceremony. During her on-court interview/speech with Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, Pennetta decided it was the perfect time to reveal her decision. “One month ago, I decided that this is the way I would say goodbye to tennis,” said Pennetta, the newly crowned US Open champion.
“Sometimes it's getting hard for me to compete,” explained Pennetta, who was referring to the taxing eleven month season all the top players have to endure year after year. “You have to fight every week and if you don't in the way I did today, it's going to be bad. It was a really hard decision but I'm really happy I did it. I'm really happy and proud of myself.”
Despite the bittersweet news, the 33-year-old looked in good spirits and was excited to celebrate the biggest title of her career. Pennetta later cleared up any confusion regarding her retirement at her post-match press conference, saying that she would retire at the end of the year, rather than now. The Italian from Brindisi confirmed she would play the two Premier Mandatory and Premier 5 events in Wuhan and Beijing this fall. If she makes a deep run in both events, there is a good chance she will be able to qualify for the WTA Finals in Singapore.
In an interview with TSN’s Mark Masters after winning the title, Pennetta revealed that she was considering retirement at the beginning of the year but, it wasn’t until this past August in Toronto, where the Italian decided to hang up her racquet. “I was there with my physio and with my psychologist, and we just spend so much time talking about the life and what I would like to do, and if I was ready to make this decision,” said Pennetta on what happened in Toronto that made her feel like retiring. “And sadly, we decided okay, this is the good moment to make something like that.”
Looking Back at Flavia Pennetta’s Illustrious Career
Throughout her career, Pennetta has accomplished many things, both on the singles and doubles court. Her victory at the 2015 US Open alone, meant that she is the first Italian man or woman to win in New York City, and she would surpass her career high ranking of number 10 in singles, to number 8.
In doubles, Pennetta made 34 finals (and counting), winning half of them (with six different partners). Some of her partners included Elena Dementieva, Sara Errani, Kristina Mladenovic and Martina Hingis. However, her most successful partnership was with Argentine Gisela Dulko. With Dulko, they won 11 titles, including the 2011 Australian Open doubles title.
In singles, the Italian won 11 WTA titles and 7 on the ITF Professional Circuit. Apart from winning the US Open, which was her first title in 18 months, Pennetta also won the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Among these two big titles, the Italian number one has won on the clay of Acapulco, Bogota and Palermo.
Pennetta turned pro on her 18th birthday in 2000 and she’s played on the tour for more than fifteen years now. However, those fifteen years haven’t been easy as the now-33-year-old has battled many injuries in the past, the biggest being a right wrist injury that she needed surgery to repair in 2012. But time and time again, Pennetta has come back from these injuries with a greater appreciation and love for the game. On top of that, the Italian has been apart of the Fed Cup team for a total of ten years, and in those ten years, Italy has won the title an astounding four times. The Italian has also represented her home country in the Beijing and London Olympics in 2008 and 2012, respectively.
What’s Next For Flavia Pennetta?
First of all, before the tennis world says goodbye to Pennetta, she will be playing a few tournaments in Asia so if all goes well, everyone will be able to see the reigning US Open champion doing what she does best a few more times.
But when the time comes for her to retire, Pennetta has stated that tennis has always and always will be a big part of her life, so she will be involved in this sport one way or another. This means that in a few years, the tennis world might see the current world number eight on the tour again, but instead of playing, she could be coaching.
The Italian is currently engaged to ATP star Fabio Fognini so after Pennetta ends her professional career, family will become Pennetta’s number one priority. On the show “La vita in diretta”, the 33-year-old said her dream is to become a mother and maybe, she could become one in the near future.
Regardless of what happens after tennis, Flavia Pennetta will always be known as an icon of Italian sports, not only for her perseverance and achievements, but for what she did for Italian tennis. She will always be a Grand Slam champion.