Interviewed in Singapore, Flavia Pennetta revealed how both Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams decided to call her on the day she won the US Open in September. Flavia reveals how Serena got her number, and how the two do keep in touch now.
Flavia Pennetta is in Singapore appearing in the elite top 8 contenders for the WTA Finals trophy in singles for the very first time. The Italian conquered the WTA finals in doubles with her friend Gisela Dulko in 2010, but had never managed to compete in the very best single players’ event before.
The victory at the US Open – and the 2000 points awarded for the win – played a major part in granting Pennetta’s qualification for Singapore. Right on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the day she lifted the champion’s trophy for the first time, Flavia announced that she will retire at the end of this season. Hence, no US Open title defence for Flavia and no more Grand Slam tournament appearances.
Losing to World No. 414 in Tianjin, Pennetta risked to see her illustrious career end that way, far east in Asia in a tournament not so knows, after the celebrations lived in New York. Thanks to the Moscow organizers and a better showing from the Italian against Daria Gavrilova in the Kremlin Cup, Pennetta has managed to select a much better and more exciting stage to set her tennis farewell.
Interviewed in Singapore after the draw ceremony, the Italian revealed there have been quite special calls she received the night she got back to the hotel after conquering the US Open.
As told to the New York Times, Flavia was called by two former US Open champions and former World No.1, nonetheless all-time tennis legends, as both Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal got in touch with Pennetta to congratulate her for the important achievement.
Rafael called Flavia the same day, when it was 5 AM in Spain to congratulate her long-time friend. “Before Rafa became Rafael Nadal he was just Rafa. I know him since he was a kid.” told Pennetta to New York Times reporters.
What about Serena Williams? Did Flavia receive a call from Serena, did she have her number?
Pennetta explained better how the whole thing happened in Singapore.
You were in an interview with the New York Times. You said you got a call from Serena after you won.
FLAVIA PENNETTA: Yeah.
I’m curious. Does your cell phone pop up and say, Phone call from Serena Williams?
FLAVIA PENNETTA: No.
Do you pick it up and you have no idea who was calling?
FLAVIA PENNETTA: No, I didn’t have her number. She just asked my number to Caroline. But because my phone was ringing so much, I didn’t answer to the number that I don’t recognize.
So she sent me a tweet. Flavia, it’s me, it’s my number, call me.
I call her. So now I have her number (laughter).
Can you talk about that conversation a little bit?
FLAVIA PENNETTA: I mean, was not that long. She just call me and say, Hi, baby, how are you? I’m so happy for you.
I’m asking her how she was feeling.
She say, It’s tough for me. But I’m so happy and proud of you.
You’re really going to retire?
I say, Yes.
It’s good for you.
I mean, she ask me if I was in New York or going to Italy, wherever. We just keep in touch.
