The organization of US Open I wasn’t very confident about the chances. Serena Williams in this tournament and organized his farewell for last Monday, on the day of his debut. He rolled out a carpet for speeches, appeared Billie Jean King, American tennis legend, a video was projected… But it wasn’t anyone’s goodbye, because Williams smugly beat Danka Kovinic (6-3, 6-3). They also screened the farewell video in the second round; but she again dodged the goodbye with a hard-fought win against Anett Kontaveit, number two in the world (7-6, 2-6, 6-2).
This Friday, when his tennis journey finally ended, the best farewell was the taste in the mouth left by his tennis. After the game, with the New York center back shocked by a legendary game, Williams gave the gracias to all who have contributed to his career. The first, of course, to his father, Richard Williams, of current relevance for the film that portrays him, ‘King Richard’. Also her mother and her sisters. Especially, Venus. “I wouldn’t be Serena if it weren’t for Venus,” she said of her older sister, also a tennis player, whom she quickly outperformed on the court.
«It has been the most incredible trip that I will live in my life», he said about his career. Both on the track-“you never know”-, and later at a press conference-“I’ve always liked Australia”, where the next ‘great’ is celebrated-, she wanted to be ambiguous about a possible return. But it is something that she herself does not seem to believe: «I am ready to be a mother, to explore a different version of Serena».
On his toughness late in the game, Williams said it’s just who he is. «not laughing at meI’ve never given up on my career, and I wasn’t going to tonight either.”
Asked why she will be remembered, the player was not clear as soon as she dropped the racket. “There are so many things to be remembered for,” she said. «Like the fight, I am very fighter. And she brought something different to tennis. A different image, clenched fists and that crazy intensity. Passion, I think is how it is best defined».
