Flavia Pennetta beat fellow Italian Roberta Vinci to win her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, and then announced her retirement.
Pennetta, the 26th seed, won 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 to become only the second Italian woman to win one of the tennis majors.
She then said: "I make a big decision in my life - this is the way I like to say goodbye to tennis."
The 33-year-old from Brindisi confirmed she plans to play the rest of the season before retiring.
"One month ago I decided that this is the way I would say goodbye to tennis," added Pennetta, who collected a winner's cheque of $3.3m (£2.1m).
"This is my last and I couldn't think of finishing in a better way."
Vinci, ranked 43rd in the world, had stunned Serena Williams in the semi-finals, ending the world number one's bid for a calendar Grand Slam.
The 32-year-old from Taranto, said: "I am really happy and really happy for Flavia. It's tough to play against a player who you have known for a long time.
"I tried to play my best, but Flavia played unbelievable and I have to say congrats to her."
'I don't have the power any more'
Pennetta later cleared up any confusion arising from her surprise post-match announcement on court.
"I will play until the end of this year but it was my last match here in New York," she explained.
The 32-year-old from Taranto, said: "I am really happy and really happy for Flavia. It's tough to play against a player who you have known for a long time.
"I tried to play my best, but Flavia played unbelievable and I have to say congrats to her."
'I don't have the power any more'
Pennetta later cleared up any confusion arising from her surprise post-match announcement on court.
"I will play until the end of this year but it was my last match here in New York," she explained.
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