Serena Williams bows out of the US Open, likely to retire
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 03.09.22. | 09:08
One of the best tennis players ever is likely to finish her career at 41
Serena Williams bowed out of the US Open and headed into retirement on Friday after a battling loss to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic while world number one Daniil Medvedev crushed the giant-killing dreams of Chinese youngster Wu Yibing with an emphatic victory. On another night of searing emotion in the Billie Jean King Tennis Center's main Arthur Ashe Stadium, 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams finally met her match in Tomljanovic, losing 7-5, 6-7 (4/7) 6-1 in an attritional slug-fest lasting more than three hours.
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME! Serena Williams is the GOAT ❤️ #SerenaWilliams #USOpen pic.twitter.com/SFlbA2vUsL
— 𝐳𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐡 ✿ (@JINS0N94) September 3, 2022
The defeat was almost certainly Williams' last ever appearance in Grand Slam singles event, the final act of a 27-year professional career that saw the 40-year-old American become a sporting and cultural icon who many believe is the greatest women's tennis player in history.
"It's been a fun ride. It's been the most incredible ride and journey I've ever been on, I mean, in my life. I'm just so grateful to every single person that's ever said, 'Go, Serena,' in their life. You got me here. It all started with my parents. They deserve everything. I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't Venus, so thank you, Venus. She's the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed” a clearly emotional Williams said in an on-court interview following her loss. After the loss Williams saluted the crowd, welling up as Tina Turner's anthem "Simply the Best" belted out around the stands.
Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams!
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 3, 2022
How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to 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 talents. pic.twitter.com/VWONEMAwz3
Although Williams has not definitively announced her retirement, she said in a Vogue magazine essay last month that she would "evolve" away from tennis after the US Open. Williams said Friday that she was excited by the prospect of her life after tennis.
"I'm ready to, like, be a mom, explore a different version of Serena. Technically in the world I'm still super young, so I want to have a little bit of a life while I'm still walking" she said. Williams said Friday that she will not reconsider her decision to retire from tennis, but added: "You never know".
© Agence France-Presse
