US Open: Williams' farewell party continues - "I'm just Serena"
Serena Williams presents herself at her probably last tournament like in the best of times. Can the 40-year-old actually play for the title again?
by SID
last edit:
Sep 01, 2022, 02:11 pm
Serena Williams laughed in disbelief and looked deep into Mary Joe Fernandez's eyes. After the gala performance in the roaring Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, did the interviewer really just ask whether the 23-time Grand Slam winner was surprised by her own level? "I'm just Serena," said the 40-year-old tennis icon. And again, deafening cheers broke out.
It was the really big show that Williams celebrated in their very impressive 7: 6 (7: 4), 2: 6, 6: 2 second round win over world number two Anett Kontaveit from Estonia on the blue hard court of the US Open. And the farewell party of perhaps the greatest player in history just continues.
Williams now against Tomljanovic
"I feel like I've already won," Williams said, not referring to her upcoming duel against Australia's Alja Tomljanovic on Friday. Rather, the American is happy that she is delivering at what will probably be her last major tournament and that she can enjoy it. Since her first title at the US Open in 1999, when she was 17 years old, she has always felt the burden of having to deliver, Williams said: "It's different here and I've achieved some pretty crazy things."
The former world number one has always avoided making a clear statement about the end of her career and repeatedly emphasized in New York that she deliberately remains vague "because you never know". In the end, it was Williams herself who announced in "Vogue" magazine at the beginning of August that the "countdown" to the end of her career had begun.
The hype is big around the athlete with the black glitter dress, who delivered the full package against Kontaveit. Extremely nerve-racking, surprisingly agile and still bursting with strength, she pulled a long, tight match onto her side and then flexed her muscles verbally.
"I'm a pretty good player," said the powerhouse, who, when asked about her chances of a seventh US Open title, which would also equal Margaret Court's Grand Slam record (24 titles), but then don't get in. "I can't think that far yet. I prepare myself intensively for every opponent and just have fun," said Williams.
Woods excited by WIlliams
This also applies to the fans in New York, which include Tiger Woods. The golf icon sat in the Williams box during the game against Kontaveit and was fascinated. "It was a privilege to see something so big. Congratulations," Woods then wrote on Twitter, he is closely acquainted with Williams.
It's not just the 46-year-old who knows that the tennis queen isn't done yet and would love to extend her farewell tour. "I love this crowd and there's no need to rush," Williams said. "And I love a challenge."
Here is the individual tableau for women
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