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Serena Williams waved goodbye to the US Open – and her illustrious career – in emotional scenes after she lost to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic on a thrilling night in New York.
Williams, who turns 41 this month, hopes this will be her last.
It would end a 27-year professional career that took home 23 major singles wins and saw the American tennis player widely regarded as the greatest of all time.
Williams fought back from a set but ultimately lost 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1.
The longtime former world number one saved five match points in the final match but was powerless to stop the sixth step.
Almost everyone can get to her feet as she leaves the pitch at Arthur Ashe Stadium – the site of her first major win in 1999 and five more wins of her career – for what she expected to be the last time.
As she waved goodbye and turned special, Tina Turner’s pop classic ‘Simply The Best’ blasted through the sound system.
Asked if she would reconsider retiring after her performance this week, Williams said: “I’m really playing my way and getting better. I should have started. earlier this year. I don’t think so, but you never know.”
Williams had tears on her face as she was interviewed in the middle of court, thanking her family, teammates, crowd and fans around the world for supporting her over the years.
“I thank everyone who’s been here, it’s been with me for so many years, so many decades. Oh my gosh, it’s been decades,” said Williams, who played his first professional league at the age of 14. speak.
“But it all started with my parents. And they deserved everything. So I’m really grateful to them.
“And I wouldn’t be Serena without it [sister] Venus, thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason Serena Williams ever existed. “
Tomljanovic, who entered the fourth round against Liudmila Samsonova of Russia, stepped aside and applauded her opponent as she took the microphone.
The world No. 46 put on an extraordinary performance to block out the noise and superfluous sensations, exemplified by her clinical strike during the final stages of a brutal three-hour competition five years ago. minute.
Williams delivers one last thrilling performance for the A-list crowd
Williams has long been more than just a tennis player and it’s a sign of her status – as an American icon and one of the world’s most famous sports stars – as she claims retired in an essay for the glossy fashion magazine Vogue.
Although the former world number one doesn’t use the word retirement to say that she is “growing” away from the sport, her plan is to end her glittering two-week career at the pro. mine.
Like every night she has appeared this week, Williams appeared in court after being introduced as the ‘Queen of the Queen’ – the borough of New York where the tournament is held – in a specially authorized footage. narrated by American rap star Queen Latifah .
The A-Listers went live with Ashe this week, with Vogue editor Anna Wintour and golf superstar Tiger Woods previously sitting in Williams’ box.
On Friday night, it was R&B singer Ciara and her husband Russell Wilson, one of the country’s biggest NFL stars, along with members of the Williams family.
Elsewhere, tennis great Billie Jean King, film director Spike Lee and actress Rebel Wilson were also watching.
Williams wore a sparkly, figure skating-inspired dress she specially created for the tournament, along with diamond-encrusted coaches, to add a touch of pomp to the event.
Right up to the last minute, Williams gave a performance to nearly 24,000 spectators.
The 40-year-old has been playing some of her best tennis matches for a long time as she fights to prolong her career, delivering one last memorable performance for those lucky enough to witness. ants.
How did Williams’ last match go?
Waiting for one of the sport’s greatest icons, like an agitated partisan home audience, will test the mettle of even the most debilitated players.
Williams encountered Tomljanovic long ago on the pitch, arriving first after touching the bronze plaque at the players’ entrance with Billie Jean King’s famous quote ‘Pressure is a privilege’.
The American was more tense and showed it in the first game, with Tomljanovic showing no signs of faking as she broke her opponent’s serve.
But Williams settled quickly in the next game when Tomljanovic failed to consolidate, taking a 5-3 lead and serving for the opening set.
Then a bad game came at the worst possible time for Williams. Involuntary errors from her racquet contributed to Tomljanovic’s 5-5 draw back, almost crucially, a netting line returning to Williams’ half with 30-30.
More confident after halftime, Tomljanovic cleared the winners on both flanks – one of two errors from Williams – to break again and leave her serve for the opener.
She took a 40-0 lead and finished the set at the third chance with an inch-perfect forehand winner.
Watching Williams follow suit calms the crowds inside the largest tennis stadium in the world.
Not long, however. The former world number one took a 2-0 lead in the second set and took a 4-0 lead, thanks to some fierce winners and aided by two double errors from his opponents, to put Ashe back in the game. back with joy.
Williams is turning back the clock again at this point and has been described by former British tennis player Laura Robson, working for BBC Radio 5 Live as an analyst, as the best tennis player she has ever seen. “for several years”.
The lack of focus allowed Tomljanovic to reverse one of the breaks, but Williams locked in and didn’t lose 5-2.
That sparked a frenzy of celebration from Williams – a signature growl complemented by a fist and foot stamp as she crouched on the pitch – as everyone in the place exploded once more.
Predictions hung as Williams tried to equalize the game on the first attempt, but she missed four set points and that triggered a pushback from Tomljanovic.
Sensing Williams needed their help, the crowd chanted her name around the cavernous gymnasium heading into the round and she responded with a composed play to eventually level the match later. a set of 84 minutes.
Now it’s a one-set straight shootout.
Williams looked like she was suffering from a slump in energy – understandable given her physical exertions this week in just her fourth tournament in over a year – as she lost 5-1 after the game. decisive match.
The end seemed inevitable but not before she mustered a final act of resistance. In a final game that lasted 15 minutes and 22 points, she finally succumbed by forehand into the net.
‘The joy of a lifetime’ – what they say
Former world number one Billie Jean King: “Her incredible career has made its mark in tennis history. And her greatest contributions may yet to come. Thank you, Serena. Your journey continues.”
Former US Open champion Andy Roddick: “I love you, Serena. It’s been the joy of a lifetime to see you become what you are. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you my old friend.”
Coco Gauff number 12 in the world: “Serena, thank you. It’s thanks to you that I believe in this dream. Your impact on me is beyond any words can sum up and for that I say thank you, thank you. you, thank you, GOAT!”
Golf great Tiger Woods: “You are truly the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring us all to follow our dreams. I love her!”
Former First Lady Michelle Obama: “How lucky we are to have watched a young girl from Compton grow up and become one of the greatest athletes of all time.
“I’m proud of you, my friend – and I can’t wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talent.”
Than to follow.
