NEW YORK — Flavia Pennetta knows how to go out in style.
The 33-year-old Italian, playing in her first Grand Slam final, hoisted the U.S. Open trophy on Saturday after beating countrywoman Roberta Vinci 7-6(4), 6-2, then promptly retired from the game, a major title finally in hand.
"This is the way I would like to say good-bye to tennis," Pennetta said on court in an interview after the win. "This one was my last match at the U.S. Open."
It was unclear if Pennetta would play this fall, but the newly-crowned champion is clearly saying good-bye to tennis.