Serena Williams’ US Open farewell sparks reactions and tributes on Twitter

The Serena Williams period has come to an finish — at the least for now.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion performed what is anticipated to be her ultimate skilled tennis match on Friday on the US Open. She lost in the third round in opposition to Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in an exhilarating affair. Williams staved off 5 match factors earlier than ultimately shedding and acquired a becoming ovation from the group on the finish

In August, Williams introduced in a first-person essay for Vogue journal that her tennis profession was winding down, saying this yr’s US Open would most likely be her ultimate match. Within the piece, she spoke about her want to develop her household as a motive for her “evolution.” Williams was visibly emotional throughout her postmatch interview.

“It has been a enjoyable trip”, Williams stated. “It has been probably the most unimaginable trip and journey I have been on in my life”

When requested if she would rethink her “evolution,” Williams responded, “I do not suppose so however you by no means know.”

If Friday’s match was certainly Williams’ final match, she ends her tennis profession as one of many sport’s all-time greats. Her aforementioned 23 Grand Slam titles are probably the most by any participant within the Open period (since 1968) and he or she trails solely Margaret Court docket (24) for many of all time. Williams’ on-court dominance has impressed the following technology of stars in girls’s tennis, together with 18-year-old phenom Coco Gauff.

With Williams’ probably ultimate match within the books, a number of gamers congratulated her on a surefire Corridor of Fame profession.

https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/1565901658927808512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Different stars like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Memphis Grizzlies level guard Ja Morant and extra additionally gave Williams her flowers on social media.