Serena Williams said goodbye to the US Open with one last big tennis show. She said goodbye to the end of her career in tears. And left a back door open.
as himself Serena Williams said goodbye to the big tennis stage with wet eyes and a heavy heart, boomed from the loudspeakers Tina Turner’s Evergreen “The Best”.
Williams is ‘so grateful’
It wasn’t just the selection of songs that went well with what was probably the last match of what was considered by many to be the best tennis player in history: Night Session both US Open in new York24,000 euphoric fans in the Arthur Ashe Stadiummillions of banned TV viewers, a dramatic course – and one that never gives up in more than three hours of playing time Serena Williams.
That’s exactly what the 23-times wants Grand Slam-Tournament winner to be remembered. “I’m such a fighter”said the 40-year-old proudly after beating Australian Ajla Tomljanović 5-7, 7-6, 1-6. “I feel like I’ve really given and I still give to tennis. The other looksthe winning fist, the crazy intensity.” she be “so grateful to have had these moments that i serena am”.
Yet another return?
These phrases from the press conference, just like their on-pitch thanks before, had a clear one “Goodbye“character. With tears, the American thanked her family, especially her sister Venuswith which she had also been eliminated from the tournament in doubles the night before.
And yet, after 24 years, 81 Grand Slam-Tournaments and a number of ups and downs keep a tiny back door open for a return. “I don’t think so, but you never know”said Williamswho are overlooking the Australian Open added with a smile early next year: “I’ve always loved Australia…”
But a return is not realistic. She is now ready for more “Being a mother is a different version of serena to be”. lying in front of her “a bright future”.
Always rely on the heart of a fighter
But the farewell to tennis – that much is clear – falls Williams enormously difficult. That she is the Australian’s all-time record Margaret Court at one Grand Slam– Missed tournament victory, rankles the ambitious athlete. Both US Openwhere she got her first in 1999 as a 17-year-old Grand Slamtitle, she took one last shot. At least proved Williamsthat she can still compete with players who could be her daughters in age.
Hardly any game practice, slipped to 605th place in the world rankings, weak results before the tournament – but Williams defied the low expectations. At times she played in Flushing Meadows Park almost like in the best of times, and you could always rely on her fighting spirit.
Opponent Tomljanovic apologizes
Defended against Tomljanović, who meets the in-form Russian Lyudmila Samsonowa in the round of 16 Williams lost a total of five match balls in the third set despite a hopeless 1:5 deficit. “I’m very sorry, I love her as much as you all,” said Tomljanović into the stadium microphone, visibly uncomfortable: “She’s the greatest of all time.”
But even the greatest have to step down at some point. The tears in her eyes would not flow from grief, said Williamsit was rather “Tears of joy”. But she didn’t know for sure herself. Williams first has to get used to the new phase of life, to the new freedoms.
On the first day as a supposed tennis pensioner, she wanted herself “definitely rest” and “Spending time with my daughter”. And she already had one wish for the evening: “I’ll probably go to the karaoke.” Of the Tina Turner hit “Best” would be a suitable one song for her.