NEW YORK—Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci go so far back they played their first match at age nine on the red clay of Pennetta's hometown country club in Brindisi, Italy.
The former roommates made history today contesting the first all-Italian Grand Slam final.
More: Pennetta Wins US Open in Final Major Match
Before they faced off in the US Open final, the pair spent some face time chatting with another Italian standout, Francesca Schiavone.
"We have a chat with the four of us. You cannot see this chat because it's crazy," Pennetta told the media in her post-match press conference.
In an effort to alleviate the pressure her friends felt, Schiavone, who made history becoming the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam title when she captured the 2010 Roland Garros crown, left a voice mail for Pennetta after the chat.
"She sends me like a voice message yesterday and she starting to laugh, 'Ha, ha, now it's your turn,' " Pennetta said. "Breathe. You have to go to the toilet, eh, so many times.
"Francesca, she's always like this. I didn't talk to her now (after winning the US Open) because I didn't have a chance to take a phone. I just called my mom and dad."
Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, who flew in for the final, advised the friends to hang out in New York City for a few more days until the fervor over the first all-Italian Grand Slam final subsides a bit back home.
"(He) was so happy, so happy for us," Pennetta said. "(The prime minister) said 'You don't understand what's happened now in Italy.' I mean, it's good you are here. He was talking with me and Roberta because we was together. Because in Italy now is going to be crazy. It's good to stay here a few days, just relax a little bit , and then go back home."
Photo credit: US Open/USTA