Serena Williams’ glittering career likely came to an end on Friday as the tennis icon lost in the third round of US Open to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.
The 40-year-old Williams – who last month signalled she planned to retire after the Open – was beaten 7-5, 6-7 (4/7) 6-1 by Tomljanovic in a gruelling 3-hour 5-minute battle.
Williams, a sporting and cultural icon who amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her 27-year career, poured everything into one last stand in front of a ferociously partisan crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But the veteran wilted visibly in the decisive third set, wearied by the demands of a heroic second set display that saw her level the match in a tie break.
As Tomljanovic raced into a 5-1 lead in the third, Williams summoned every last drop of her fighting spirit to stave off defeat, saving five match points in a marathon seventh game before finally succumbing.
Afterwards Williams saluted the crowd, welling up as Tina Turner’s anthem “Simply the Best” belted out around the stands.
Here’s how the world reacted
Dear Serena...
— wta (@WTA) September 3, 2022
A letter from Tennis ✉️#ThankYouSerena | @AustralianOpen | @rolandgarros | @Wimbledon | @usopen pic.twitter.com/FVtVORpVvn
It’s truly been fun to watch Serena not only change the sport of tennis, but more importantly, how she’s helped empower the next generation. Her tennis accomplishments speak for themselves, but one of the things I admire about her is she simply doesn’t quit. On or off the court
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 3, 2022
her will, her strength, her determination…she simply never gives up. She’s a great example to us all. Congrats and thank you, Serena!!
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 3, 2022
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME ✨💫 @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/mehN86tIvP
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) September 3, 2022
Her incredible career made its mark on tennis history.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 3, 2022
And yet her greatest contributions may be yet to come.
Thank you, @serenawilliams.
Your journey continues. #serena #USOpen https://t.co/0wDFfRN3Dq
All heart. So much love.
— AlexisOhanian7️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ (@alexisohanian) September 3, 2022
Serena, THANK YOU. It is because of you I believe in this dream. The impact you’ve had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together and for that I say thank you, thank you, thank you, GOAT! pic.twitter.com/qeNZlC05WJ
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) September 3, 2022
.@serenawilliams you’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 3, 2022
Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams!
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 3, 2022
How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.
I'm proud of you, my friend—and I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents. pic.twitter.com/VWONEMAwz3
The goat @serenawilliams ❤️ thank you Serena ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VKLUynps6b
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) September 3, 2022
Greatest of all time @serenawilliams! You will be missed. 🐐 #serena #USOpen2022
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) September 3, 2022
Serena. Thank you for being you and the inspiration to so many men and women. I’ve never seen a more intense competitor and it was an honor to share a court with you and watch history. Simply the best. @serenawilliams
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 3, 2022
We just witnessed the last US Open for the greatest of all time, Serena Williams!! Serena has meant so much to sports, the game of tennis, the world, every little girl, and even more to every little Black girl across the globe. @serenawilliams #ThankYouSerena
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 3, 2022
I’m so grateful for @serenawilliams. What she has given this sport and us will never be lost on me. #ThankYouSerena
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) September 3, 2022
I love you @serenawilliams It’s been the pleasure of a lifetime to watch you become what you have. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you my old friend
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 3, 2022
Huge congratulations @serenawilliams for an amazing career. Such a Legend 🙌🏻🤜🏻🤛🏻👏🏻#GOAT #Serena #USOpen
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) September 3, 2022
I feel so emotional realising that this was Serena’s last match. I have a feeling she might reconsider? I don’t know.
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) September 3, 2022
Serena fighting until the last point, always. You've given so much to tennis, and so much to womens sports. Thank you @serenawilliams
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 3, 2022
Nothing but massive respect for Serena Williams. Fought until the very end and made her opponent have to work for the win. She is the GOAT. A champion. A legend who made tennis so interesting. For decades.
— roxane gay (@rgay) September 3, 2022
Simply the 🐐. Unique.
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 3, 2022
Thank you @serenawilliams
We love you 💙#USOpen2022 #Serena
Thanks @serenawilliams!!! 😍🙌🏻 https://t.co/xgdCHAvDQh
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) September 3, 2022
It’s been a joy watching greatness! Congrats Serena!
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) September 3, 2022
THANKS @serenawilliams YOU’RE GOING OUT SCRAPPING, JUST LIKE YOU CAME IN👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾‼️‼️‼️💯
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) September 3, 2022
I've not known tennis without #SerenaWilliams it just doesn't feel right
— Nikhila (@kokudum) September 3, 2022
Serena put up numbers we may never see again. pic.twitter.com/OYPGaQZcAq
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022
With AFP Inputs