The crowd in Arthur Ashe roared one last time for the legendary Serena Williams as she bid farewell to her most favourite sport. The racket that ruled the tennis world for years, came to a rest on Friday as she lost to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. The Australian clinched the win against the greatest of all time with the scoreline of 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1.
Post-match, Serena Williams acknowledged the crowd and gave her farewell speech as bid a teary adieu. She thanked her parents and Venus Williams for standing by her right throughout her career. The legend acknowledged all those who were there in the stadium.
“I thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side so many years, decades. Oh my gosh, literally decades. But it all started with my parents. And they deserve everything. So I’m really grateful for them. And I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t [sister] Venus, so thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed,” she said post-match.
A speech worth of the 🐐@serenawilliams | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/0twItGF0jq
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022
Serena Williams bids emotional adieu
The veteran has won as many as 23 grand slams and made her debut at the tender age of 14 in 1995. Fans couldn’t really control their emotions as one of the greatest to have ever graced the game decided to walk away for one last time. She had a fantastic run at the Flushing Meadows this year until the Australian put an end to it.
On being asked if she would reconsider her decision, the tennis did not really come up with a straight answer. “I’m literally playing my way into this and getting better. I should have started sooner this year. I don’t think so, but you never know,” Williams said this week.
The Star was not able to control her tears and addressed them as happy tears. “These are all happy tears, I guess. I don’t know,” the 23 grand slams winner said as she continued with her farewell speech. The 41-year-old may not pick up the racket again but her glory will remain etched in everyone’s hearts forever.
