The 40-year-old American tennis idol Serena Williams lost in the third round of the US Open to Australian Ajla Tomljanovie by 1-2 (5:7, 7:6, 1:6).
After the over 3-hour match, Serena Williams made an emotional speech in front of the crowded stands of the 26,000-seat Arthur Ashe Center Court in New York.
“Thank you, Dad. I know you’re watching. Thank you, Mom. To all of you here, who have been by my side for so many years, decades. These are tears of happiness, I guess. I don’t know. I wouldn’t be Serena if Venus wasn’t there, so thank you Venus. She’s the only reason Serena Williams exists. It’s been a fun journey. It’s been the most amazing adventure I’ve ever been on”, said Serena Williams through tears.
In her career, the American won 23 Grand Slam titles, dominating women’s tennis for several periods. Serena Williams won her first major title at the US Open in 1999. She spent 319 weeks at the top of the world rankings, including a record 186 straight weeks.
Tickets for the Arthur Ashe evening session were sold out and there were a number of celebrities in the stands who wanted to watch Serena Williams in what turned out to be her last match. The American will turn 41 at the end of the month, and she has already announced her retirement from professional tennis after the US Open 2022.
