On a thrilling night in New York, Serena Williams bid farewell to the US Open and her brilliant career in tearful emotions after she was defeated by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.
Williams, who will turn 41 this month, expects that it will be her last game.
The American will no longer be considered the best of all time as his 27-year professional career, which included 23 major singles victories, comes to an end.
Williams was defeated 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1, and she shed tears afterward.
In what turned out to be the decisive game, the former long-time world number one turned away five match points but was unable to stop a sixth.
When she left the Arthur Ashe Stadium court for what she believed would be the final time, almost everyone who could stood to applaud. This venue hosted her first major victory in 1999 as well as five other of her most memorable victories in an illustrious career.
The sound system blared out Tina Turner’s hit single “Simply The Best” as she waved goodbye and performed her trademark pirouette.
Asked if she would reconsider retiring after her performances this week, Williams said: “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 was overcome with emotion when she was interviewed in the middle of the court, thanking her family, team, the crowd and her fans across the world for their support over the years.
“I thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side so many years, decades. Oh my gosh, literally decades,” said Williams, who played her first professional tournament as a 14-year-old in 1995.
“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.”