Actually, Serena Williams wants to end her tennis career at the US Open in New York. But in front of 24,000 spectators – including her 4-year-old daughter Olympia, husband Alexis Ohanian, Bill Clinton, Queen Latifah, Mike Tyson and Lindsey Vonn – the 40-year-old won her opening match against Danka Kovinic (27) from Montenegro and is one round further. Serena Williams struggled at the start of the match, but as time went on she became more confident – cheered on by the crowd with chants of “We love you”.

After beating Kovinic 6-3, 6-3, Williams will now play Anett Kontaveit. The 26-year-old from Estonia is No. 2 in the tennis world rankings.

Serena Williams herself apparently didn’t expect to win. “Thank you, I wasn’t expecting that,” the 23-time Grand Slam winner said after the match, which featured some very emotional scenes.

Billie Jean King, now 78, also gave a speech, she is the first tennis player to come out as gay.

Serena Williams with diamonds and in a black dress

Serena Williams, who announced in VOGUE that she will end her career in New York at the US Open, turned heads with her black outfit.

The Nike dress was designed by Serena Williams herself. As previously reported in US media, it consists of six layers to honour her six past titles at Flushing Meadows.

Her NikeCourt Flare 2 shoes are studded with diamonds. The athlete also has her own jewellery collection. Fashion is her new world, headlines the September issue of US Vogue.

A must read. https://t.co/NSWDGHzsXK

– Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) August 9, 2022

On her retirement from active tennis, Serena Williams said, “This is the hardest thing I can imagine. I don’t want it to be over, but I’m ready for something new. “