{"id":1205,"date":"2022-09-03T16:51:14","date_gmt":"2022-09-03T16:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/serena-williams-tributes-paid-to-tennis-retiring-great\/"},"modified":"2022-09-03T16:51:15","modified_gmt":"2022-09-03T16:51:15","slug":"serena-williams-tributes-paid-to-tennis-retiring-great","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/serena-williams-tributes-paid-to-tennis-retiring-great\/","title":{"rendered":"Serena Williams: Tributes paid to tennis’ retiring great"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Billie Jean King (left) was among the first to pay tribute to Williams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/thead>\n\n\n\n
Venue:<\/strong> Flushing Meadows, New York <\/span>Dates:<\/strong> 29 August-11 September<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coverage: Daily radio commentaries across BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the website and app<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Even Billie Jean King wanted to capture the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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One last photo from courtside of arguably the best ever to do it. Serena Williams has played her last match as a tennis professional and from the moment the final point was won by Ajla Tomljanovic the outpouring of love flooded in.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“Her incredible career made its mark on tennis history. And yet her greatest contributions may be yet to come,” said King, the former world number one and co-creator of the Women’s Tennis Association, on Twitter.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Thank you, Serena. Your journey continues.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Williams’ <\/span>third-round defeat by Tomljanovic<\/span><\/a> – an extraordinary three hours befitting of the 40-year-old’s final bow – brings down the curtain on a 27-year professional career that yielded 23 major singles wins.<\/span><\/p>\n

She has been an inspiration to many since she won her first Grand Slam singles title at the 1999 US Open, beating then-world number one Martina Hingis to become the second African-American woman, after Althea Gibson in 1958, to win a major singles tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back then, fellow American <\/span>Coco Gauff<\/strong> was still six years from being born but Williams soon became an idol for the now 18-year-old, who is into the US Open fourth round for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It is because of you I believe in this dream. The impact you’ve had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together and for that I say thank you, thank you, thank you, GOAT!”<\/span><\/p>\n

The farewell began at the beginning of the week when A-listers and Serena’s friends and family packed the Arthur Ashe Stadium for her first-round match, ready to witness her final bow.<\/span><\/p>\n

And they returned for two more singles matches – as well as one doubles where she teamed up alongside sister Venus – as Williams showed her incredible fighting spirit to reach the third round and even had fans contemplating the possibility of an unlikely fairytale run to one last title.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those watching her – and the video montages celebrating her before each match – in the stadium this week included some of the greats of the fashion, sports and Hollywood worlds, demonstrating how the American has transcended tennis in so many ways. <\/span><\/p>\n

The tributes flooded in from far beyond the tennis sphere, with former United States First Lady <\/span>Michelle Obama<\/strong> saying: “How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m proud of you, my friend – and I can’t wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Among colleagues on the WTA Tour paying tribute were <\/span>Ons Jabeur<\/strong> and <\/span>Caroline Garcia<\/strong>, with the latter describing her as “such a legend”, while on the men’s side, 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal said Williams was an “amazing champion”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elsewhere from the world of sport, swimming great <\/span>Michael Phelps <\/strong>praised Williams’ tenacity and drive.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Her tennis accomplishments speak for themselves, but one of the things I admire about her is she simply doesn’t quit,” the 23-time Olympic champion said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“On or off the court her will, her strength, her determination… she simply never gives up. She’s a great example to us all.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Golfer <\/span>Tiger Woods<\/strong>, who was in Williams’ player box for her second-round win over Anett Kontaveit, said: “You’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams.”<\/span><\/p>\n

NBA great <\/span>Magic Johnson<\/strong> said: “Serena has meant so much to sports, the game of tennis, the world, every little girl, and even more to every little black girl across the globe. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Serena proves that you can dream bigger than where you come from. From South Central Los Angeles, to the greatest the world has ever seen\u2026 what a story!”<\/span><\/p>\n

Fans flock to New York to celebrate the ‘GOAT’ and the ‘Legend’<\/h3>\n

Before all of Williams’ matches this week, there was a huge buzz outside of Ashe with many fans wearing Serena T-shirts and saying they had bought tickets following the announcement of her impending retirement last month.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Gauff alluded to, Williams has been a huge inspiration to African-American women and that was a common theme when fans were asked about their love for the player.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people came to New York from across the United States to see her final tournament – including Jennifer Chenier and Renicha Jones who have flown over from Houston, Texas.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Serena is the greatest of all time and I’ve always loved her. But this is my first time watching her!” Jennifer, whose T-shirt said ‘Serena. The Woman. The Myth. The Legend’, told BBC Sport.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Growing up in Compton and what she’s achieved through her being African-American and everyone hating on her and talking about other things besides just her skill is incredible.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I don’t play tennis, the only reason I watch is because of Serena and Venus, seeing them do their thing.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hundreds of fans – including these women – wore Serena T-shirts before her matches this week<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arlene and Princess Kinch, a mother and daughter from New Jersey, said it would feel strange to see tennis without such an icon.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’ve never know life without Serena,” said 20-year-old Princess. “She’s just phenomenal.<\/span><\/p>\n

“She always says the right things. She knows her worth, knows how great a player she is and does not take mess from anyone who tries to downplay her success.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Arlene added: “She has been awesome for the game and for the cause, she’s always doing what is right. <\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m inspired by the Williams sisters – where they came from, how they got to where they are and what they’ve achieved. We’re all going to miss them.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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