Goodbye, legend: Serena Williams is eliminated from the US Open and says goodbye to the circuit

Arthur Ashe’s standing ovation, his rival’s recognition, the tears streaming down the face of a 40-year-old woman who changed the history of tennis. September 2, 2022 will forever be marked in the history of sport: Serena Williams retires from the circuit.

And he said goodbye like his life has been, battling all adversity. Trailing 5-1 in the final set, the American, holding back tears, kept running and shooting to keep going in the match, to keep playing tennis. Until the sixth match point arrives and the forces give no more.

After defeating Danka Kovinić in the first round of the US Open and Anett Kontavei in the second, she had to face Ajla Tomljanović of Australia this Friday, who had to compose for three hours and four minutes with the public against her.

The first manga was very equal. A break in Williams’ serve late in the set tipped the odds in favor of Tomljanović 7-5. Now we had to row from behind.

In the second set, the best tennis player of the century came out with everything. She was leading 4-0, however, the Australian had a dramatic reaction and forced the tie-break, in which case the American won and left it 1-1 in sets.

Already in the third set things started again evenly, until the fourth game, in which Arthur Ashe’s visitor broke Serena’s game. That’s when viewers realized the winner of 23 Grand Slams was in trouble and now this could be their last encounter. Tomljanović was unforgiving and led the set to close it with an expressive 6-1.

Thus, the Michigan native says goodbye to tennis in the third round of a special tournament, in which she surprised the world by winning her first Grand Slam in 1999, at just 18 years old, in an unforgettable final against Martina Hingis. The same scenario that catapulted her into the world today sees her saying goodbye, but no longer as a young promise, but as a sports legend. Thank you Serena Williams.