Serena Williams isn’t quite prepared to leave just yet. Evidently, neither are her followers. They were audible and clear to her.
They came from far and wide to see Serena practice, play, and, as it turned out, win a match on Monday night at the U.S. Open. Because Serena is a hero and a great athlete, her last name is not necessary. To encourage her, a record number of spectators flocked to Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Williams prolonged her storied professional tennis career by a little bit with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over World No. 80 Danka Kovini in the first round of her final US Open. It was her first victory at a Grand Slam in almost a year.
Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she has won six of her Open Era-record 23 Grand Slams, was electrified from the start of the match. Williams, who was appropriately dressed in a beautiful costume encrusted with diamonds and woven with gold, basked in the cheers of the crowd and good fortune.
Williams put in a lot of effort to preserve Kovini’s break while down 15-40 after a few poor shots and possibly some early-match emotions. She then marked the spot where an ace would tie the game.
The second set whizzed by as the possibility of a victory became closer, and an audience that included previous US Presidents and Oscar winners watched in wonder as the GOAT performed what she did best. As her mother took control, Olympia, who had the same white beaded braids on her hair as Williams did during her first US Open victory, applauded from her father’s arms.
When the time is right, Williams will definitely take pleasure in a fairy-tale departure. But on Monday, she added one more Serena signature to the globe by winning at the same venue where she claimed her first of many, many Grand Slams 23 years earlier.
