Athletes who leave the arena entirely on their terms, regardless of their reputation or status, are rare. Having spent more than two decades on the professional tour, winning 23 grand slam singles titles, and setting many records along the way, Serena Williams is one of the greatest players ever to appear on the court.
At Flushing Meadows in New York on Friday night, Williams did not want to see her career end that day. However, the end appears to have already been reached unless things change in the coming months.
Determination Is An Important Characteristic Of The Professional Tennis Star
Despite losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the US Open finals this year, the 40-year-old professional tennis star said a touching farewell to the sport in which she played an integral role for the past 27 years.
It is pretty much fair to say that Serena regards tennis as a second home. Within the sport, she has formed a family of long-term fans who has been there since she began playing.
Her professional debut occurred in 1995 at the Bell Challenge in Quebec City when she was just 14 years old. During that event, she lost to Annie Miller. Clearly, Serena remains determined in her endeavors. Although she had lost matches before, she did not allow them to deter her from excelling in the sport.
In many ways, the mother of 1 was a brand of unstoppable power and resilience that enabled her to overcome generations of opposing tennis players throughout her career. During the height of her fame, it was impossible to beat her. The only person who could defeat her was herself.
Furthermore, there was a great deal of energy in the air before the match of Serena Williams versus Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open on Sept 2, at 7:17 p.m. As the game began, a sea of screaming and cheering fans in the bleachers and thousands of cameras were pointed toward Williams.
The Professional Tennis Player Lost The First Set To Ajla Tomljanovic
Despite the crowd and her opponent being unfazed across the net, Ajla Tomljanovic seemed well prepared for the moment and was not rattled by them. In 49 minutes, Tomljanovic won the first set by a score of 7-5.
After the first set, Williams (ranked 605th in the world going into the US Open) led Tomljanovic (ranked 46th) 5-3. As of that point, it seemed as if Williams could take a blistering Friday night beating and set up a Sunday fourth-round match which would turn out to possibly be one of the most exciting sporting stories of 2022. However, Tomljanovic could match big serves with significant returns in her match against Serena.
For three hours, Ajla fired at least a dozen shots from the baseline and sideline to her frustration with Williams. However, Serena has become used to seeing her opponents hit long shots over those two-plus decades of success.
One admirable thing about Serena is that despite her high level of fame, she never fails to acknowledge her mentor/sister, Venus Williams. She has spoken about Venus numerous times, including during a brief on-court interview with ESPN analyst Mary Joe Fernandez.
“You’re gonna be back out tomorrow night for doubles with Venus,” said Fernandez. “How excited are you to step on this court with your big sister?”
Serena responds, “Yeah, um, I’m so excited for doubles. I was like, it’s been so long, we gotta, we gotta play again–we gotta bring the reunion back.”
She continues, “So, um, I’m excited to play with Venus and get some more practice ’cause I can use some more matches.”
Farewell Speech
Moreover, a tinge of sadness associated with many sports endings can make them even more meaningful. During Williams’ unexpected farewell speech, she expressed the significance of her accomplishments during this time. As a result, she will forever be remembered as one of the greatest champions in sports history.
“Thank you, Daddy, I know you’re watching,” Williams said to her father as she was being interviewed on the court after the match.
As Serena’s eyes brimmed with tears of joy, she began to shed them. Both happy and sad feelings are associated with realizing that the end of your journey is approaching.
“It all started with my parents and they deserve everything, so I’m really grateful for them,” she said. “Oh my God. 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.”
Serena, thank you for allowing us to observe your talent from the height of your career to the present. The evolution of your game and your dominance in tennis are awe-inspiring to many of us. The skills you possess will never be forgotten.
Written by Nikiya Biggs
Twitter: @BiggsNikiya | Instagram: @ngv6236
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