Tennis: “I’m just grateful” – Williams misses the round of 16 of the US Open – was that it?

The approximately 24,000 fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York celebrated the 40-year-old Williams like a winner after more than three hours of play despite her defeat.

At her expected farewell tournament, Williams had previously raised vague hopes of her 24th Grand Slam title with two surprising victories, with which she could have matched the all-time record of Australian Margaret Court.

For Williams, who missed the round of 16 at the US Open for the first time since her debut in 1998, the 81st may also have been the last Grand Slam tournament of her glorious career. The exceptional athlete announced her retirement a few weeks ago. Tomljanović meets the in-form Russian Lyudmila Samsonowa in the round of 16.

As she thanked her family, the 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner could no longer hold back her tears. “These are tears of joy, I think,” said the American. «It was a fun trip. I’m just grateful.” Immediately after her exit, she said about a possible return to the pitch: “I don’t think so, but you never know. I don’t know it.”

The day before, Williams had already been eliminated with her sister in what was probably their last professional appearance together in doubles. The 14-time Grand Slam tournament winners lost to the Czechs Lucie Hradecka/Linda Noskova 6:7 (5:7), 4:6. Thanks to a wild card, the Williams sisters were back on the pitch together for the first time since the 2018 French Open.