It has been a historic ride for Serena Williams. More Grand Slam titles than any tennis player in the Open Era. Two “Serena Slams.” A career record of 858-154.

On Friday, at the 2022 US Open, the ride came to an end. In a dramatic, lengthy match against Ajla Tomljanovic, Williams was eliminated in the third round, falling 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 1-6.

Williams said coming into the tournament the “countdown has begun” on the end of her career. It appears the end has arrived.

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“It’s been a fun ride, it’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on in my life, and I’m just so grateful to every single person that’s ever said, ‘Go Serena’ in their life. I’m just so grateful because you got me here,” Williams said after the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.


Williams thanked the crowd for its support during the match and her five-day run in the tournament. Then she thanked her family and coaches.

“Thank you, daddy. I know you’re watching. Thanks, mom,” Williams said referring to her parents, Richard Williams and Oracene Price. “Thank everyone that’s here that’s been at my side so many years, decades, oh, my gosh, literally decades. But it all started with my parents and they deserve everything, so I’m really grateful for them. These are happy tears, I guess. I don’t know.

“And I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus, so thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason Serena Williams ever existed,” Williams said of her older sister.


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Williams was asked if she might reconsider retirement, to which she responded: “I don’t think so, but you never know.”

During her press conference a few minutes later, Williams said she was looking forward to the next stage of her life and turning her attention to being a mother. She has a daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., and she told Vogue she wanted to have a second child.

“I’m ready to be a mom and explore a different version of Serena, and 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 40-year-old Williams said.


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As for what’s immediately next, that’s simple.

“I think that I’m definitely going to be karaokeing tomorrow,” Williams said.

Source: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-us-open-farewell/hwc6c1aahdywux869posbjzh