Italian women’s tennis lived a historic chapter during the 2010s with several players dominating the tour, including names such as Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci. The latter, who achieved a career Grand Slam in doubles, is also remembered for her defining and stunning win over Serena Williams at the 2015 US Open.
Vinci turned pro in 1999, and early in her career, found more success in doubles than singles. She won the girls’ doubles title at Roland Garros with Pennetta that year and reached her first WTA final in Bogota in 2007. It wasn’t until 2010 that Vinci finished a season ranked in the top 40 in singles.
But over time, her slice-heavy, all-court game began to find a foothold against elite opponents. By the time she broke into the top 10 at age 33, Vinci had become one of the tour’s most complete players. She amassed ten WTA singles titles and started to become a dangerous opponent.
The day she stunned Serena Williams at the US Open
Vinci entered the 2015 US Open unseeded and ranked 43rd in the world. After a walkover into the fourth round and a win over Kristina Mladenovic in the quarters, she became the oldest first-time Grand Slam semifinalist in the Open Era. But her real breakthrough came in the next match.
She beat world No. 1 Serena Williams in three sets, ending Williams’ bid for the calendar-year Grand Slam. Vinci was 42 spots below Serena in the rankings, had never reached a Slam final, and was widely counted out. “It’s like a dream,” she told ESPN courtside. “Sorry guys… today is my day.” The result is still considered one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.
She lost in the final to childhood friend Pennetta, but her semifinal win was the moment that defined her career. “It was the best victory of my life,” Vinci later said. “The public can remember me with Serena.”
Doubles dominance with Errani
Though she rose to world No. 7 in singles, Vinci’s greatest legacy may be in doubles. Partnering with Sara Errani, she won 25 WTA doubles titles, including all four Grand Slams. They completed the Career Grand Slam in just three seasons. The pair spent 110 weeks ranked No. 1 and dominated the early 2010s.
Together, they won majors at the French Open, US Open, Australian Open (twice), and Wimbledon. Only five women’s doubles teams in history have completed a Career Grand Slam, and Errani and Vinci joined that elite company in 2014.
Vinci also helped Italy capture Fed Cup titles in 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2013, alongside Errani, Pennetta, and Schiavone. Her consistency and skill made her a vital contributor to the team’s success.
Her retirement
Vinci retired in 2018 after losing in the first round of the Italian Open, her home tournament. Her final match came in front of a packed crowd that included friends and family.
“I’m tired, but I’m happy,” she said. “Tennis was my life… It was a magnificent adventure,” she said. “The public can remember me with Serena. It was an incredible day.”
Since retiring, Vinci has taken up professional padel, breaking into the top 100 in 2022. Even after tennis, her competitive drive hasn’t faded.