Flavia Pennetta

Flavia Pennetta is an Italian former professional tennis player, notable for her historic achievement of becoming Italy's first top-ten female singles player and the first Italian to be ranked World No. 1 in doubles. She is a major champion, winning the 2015 US Open singles title.

She won ten other WTA singles titles, including the 2014 BNP Paribas Open, and was a mainstay of Italy's four-time victorious Billie Jean King Cup team.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Flavia Pennetta was born on February 25, 1982, in Brindisi, Italy, to Oronzo and Concetta Pennetta. She has an older sister and was introduced to tennis at the age of five. She stands 172 cm tall and she plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand.

Pennetta has cited Monica Seles as her tennis idol. She previously dated Carlos Moya, and after their split in 2007, she documented the experience in her memoir, "Dritto al cuore" (Straight to the Heart).

In early 2014, Pennetta began a relationship with fellow ATP tennis player Fabio Fognini. They became engaged in 2015, married in Ostuni in June 2016, and have since had three children: a son born in 2017, and two daughters born in 2019 and 2021.

Her cousin, Claudia Giovine, is also a tennis player. Pennetta is Catholic.

On January 24, 2007, Pennetta was pronounced a Knight of Order of Merit of the Republic by the President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

Professional Career

Flavia Pennetta turned professional on her 18th birthday in February 2000.

Her career was a journey of consistent growth and groundbreaking achievements for Italian tennis. In doubles, she won the Australian Open in 2011 with Gisela Dulko, and together they won the WTA Finals in 2010. Pennetta also reached the US Open doubles finals twice, in 2005 with Elena Dementieva and in 2014 with Martina Hingis.

In February 2011, she made history by becoming the first Italian to be ranked World No. 1 in doubles.

On the singles circuit, Pennetta became Italy's first top-ten female singles player in August 2009. She won ten other WTA singles titles, most notably the BNP Paribas Open in 2014, where she defeated the top two seeds en route to the championship. Her crowning achievement came in 2015 at the US Open, where she captured her only major singles title after defeating her childhood friend Roberta Vinci in the first-ever all-Italian major final.

Pennetta was also a key member of the Italian team in the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup), contributing to four title wins in 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2013, with an impressive team record of 25-5.

Following her victory at the US Open, Pennetta announced her retirement at the end of the 2015 season. She played her final tournament at her WTA Finals singles debut, retiring with a top-ten singles ranking.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 582–365
• Career titles: 11
• Highest ranking: No. 6 (September 28, 2015)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – QF (2014)
• French Open – 4R (2008, 2010, 2015)
• Wimbledon – 4R (2005, 2006, 2013)
• US Open – W (2015)

Other tournaments (Singles)

• BNP Paribas Open – W (2014)
• WTA Finals – RR (2015)
• Olympic Games – 3R (2012)

Doubles

• Career record: 393–243
• Career titles: 17
• Highest ranking: No. 1 (February 28, 2011)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – W (2011)
• French Open – QF (2010, 2015)
• Wimbledon – SF (2010, 2012)
• US Open – F (2005, 2014)

Other tournaments (Doubles)

• WTA Finals – W (2010)
• Olympic Games – QF (2008)

Team competitions

• Billie Jean King Cup – W (2006, 2009, 2010, 2013), record 25–5 (W–L)