Chinese icon Li Na on Monday said Flavia Pennetta had made a "great choice" by going out on top after she announced her retirement in the moments following her US Open victory.

Li quit last September when she was the reigning Australian Open champion, and she said she well understood the decision of her fellow 33-year-old to say goodbye to her career.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Li, who became a mother this year, spoke with Pennetta at the WTA Finals in Singapore and she said the Italian was not wavering about retiring.