NEWYORK — Serena Williams‘expected to retire will have to wait at least two more days. The 23-time major champion, who is playing the last tournament of her 27-year career, won her first match, 6-3, 6-3, over Danka Kovinic at the US Open on Monday night.
Since Williams, 40, announced her upcoming plans to “evolve” from tennis in a first-person essay in Vogue earlier this month, she’s been parting ways. and received a standing ovation at both the Canadian Open and the Western & Southern Open.
On Monday night, the crowd sold out nearly 24,000 pieces – including laundry lists of A-list celebrities and celebrities like former President Bill Clinton, Spike Lee, Lindsey Vonn, Bella Hadid, Vera Wang, Queen Latifah, Mike Tyson, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Knight Gladys, Martina Navratilova and even Coco Gauff – stood his ground before Williams even went to court. After a video summarizing her legendary career was narrated by Queen Latifah, Williams was introduced to the crowd as “The Greatest of All Time” to constant resounding cheers throughout. rest during the match.
It was Williams’ 102nd win at Arthur Ashe Stadium – the most by any player since it opened in 1997 – and extended a woman’s record of winning a Grand Slam at 366.
Tickets for Monday night’s session became a hot commodity following Williams’ announcement. According to TickPick, a secondary ticketing site, it cost more to attend Monday night’s session than any of the women’s US Open Finals on record. The average secondary market ticket price was listed at $987 as of Monday morning, according to ticket analysis firm TicketIQ.
Her practice session before the game even drew thousands of fans crammed to sneak a legendary peak, with long lines lined up to catch a glimpse of the net fence.
But despite the fanfare, Williams wasn’t quite ready to call it a career. On Monday, wearing a figure skating-inspired dress with six layers to represent all six of her US Open titles and pinning diamonds in her hair, Williams glided around the court – and twirled. at the end – and shows flashes of what was created. She is one of the greatest of all time. She had nine aces and scored 22 wins in a 99-minute match.
Rennae Stubbs, a former player, coach and analyst, worked with Williams this week in New York. In an interview with ABC before the game, Stubbs said Williams was nervous but still preparing for the match and tournament with a similar intensity to her trademark.
“The hands-on activities have been really tough,” Stubbs said Monday. “She’s been training really, really hard this week. She’s been training with other players, which she hasn’t done in the past. And you know, she’s trying to do everything she can. everything possible to be in top form tonight.”
Next Williams will play the 2nd seed Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday in the second round, in addition to playing doubles alongside sister Venus. The two have won 14 major titles together as a team, most recently at Wimbledon 2016. This marks the first time they’ve played together since the 2018 French Open.
This couple is scheduled to open the match against Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova on Wednesday or Thursday.
Venus, 42, has not revealed any retirement plans but has played sparingly over the past year.
