Serena Williams said she is looking forward to a life beyond tennis after her dreams of a fairytale 24th Grand Slam victory at the US Open ended in defeat on Friday.
Williams, who turns 41 later this month, lost 7-5, 6-7 (4) 6-1 to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of her home Slam.
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The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion said that while she was satisfied with her performances in New York, she was already eyeing her post-tennis life.
What a ride it’s been.
Thank you, @serenawilliams 💙 pic.twitter.com/OEURHryJxV
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022
“It takes a lot of work to get here. Clearly I’m still capable,” Williams said. “It takes a lot more than that.
“I’m ready to, like, be a mom, explore a different version of Serena.
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“Technically in the world I’m still super young, so I want to have a little bit of a life while I’m still walking.”
The greatest to ever do it! @KingJames reflects on @serenawilliams legacy. #ThankYouSerenapic.twitter.com/0bRLhEsKQS
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) September 3, 2022
While Williams said she hopes to remain involved in tennis in some capacity, in the near-term she plans to spend more time with daughter Olympia, 5.
“It’s been really hard on her, my career,” she said. “So it will be nice just to do that and spend some time with her, do things that I never really have done or had an opportunity to do.”
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Williams admitted however she was uncertain about what role tennis would play in her life.
“I’ve had so many amazing moments, that I don’t see a future without it,” she said. “What’s my involvement? I have no idea.”
Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams!
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
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 3, 2022
Earlier, Williams had poured everything into one last stand in front of a ferociously partisan crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium during her three-hour battle with Tomljanovic.
After levelling the match in a marathon 1hr 23min second set, the veteran’s resistance was finally broken in the third set as Tomljanovic raced into a 5-1 lead.
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Even then, Williams summoned every last drop of her fighting spirit in an attempt to stave off defeat, saving five match points in the 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.
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
“It’s been a fun ride,” Williams said. “It’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on, I mean, in my life.
“I’m just so grateful to every single person that’s ever said, ‘Go, Serena,’ in their life. You got me here.”
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Williams reserved special praise for her parents Richard Williams and Oracene Price who put her and elder sister Venus on the path to tennis superstardom.
“It all started with my parents,” Williams said. “They deserve everything.”
‘Greatest of all time’
Of big sister Venus, she added: “I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus, so thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed.”
Tomljanovic, 29, meanwhile expressed disappointment that Williams’ career had drawn to a close.
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“I’m feeling really sorry just because I love Serena just as much as you guys do,” she told the crowd. “What she’s done for me, for the sport of tennis, is incredible.
“I never thought I’d have a chance to play her in her last match when I remember watching her in all those finals, so this is a surreal moment for me.”
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Tomljanovic said she had also never felt certain of victory.
“Even to the last point, I knew that she’s in a position to win even when she’s down 5-1,” she said. “That’s just who she is. She’s the greatest of all time. Period.”
