New York, 2 September 2024 (TDI): While attending the US Open as a fan for the first time since retiring tennis two years ago, Serena Williams, the 23-time major winner, thrilled Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
Six-time champion Ajla Tomljanovic, an Australian, tied Chris Evert for the most titles won in New York throughout her career.
She played her final match in Flushing Meadows, an emotional farewell, against the Australian in the tournament’s third round in 2022.
Since then, she has been quite busy, following her business endeavors, landing a book deal, releasing a documentary series that is presently broadcast on ESPN, and presenting the ESPYS in July.
An year ago, Serena Williams welcomed her second daughter into the world.
On Saturday, she was all smiles and totally relaxed as she walked the blue carpet wearing a denim outfit, grinning for the cameras and making peace signals.
She’s always seemed like such a positive, joyful person to me. Williams’ longtime friend Caroline Wozniacki said, “Obviously, when we’re going to compete, we’re all in the zone, and so that’s different when you don’t play anymore.”
Williams was observed in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she played her final match, after being spotted conversing with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the players’ gym prior to the Pole’s third-round match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The Italian No. 1 that the American watched Australian Christopher O’Connell was defeated by Jannik Sinner, while American Jessica Pegula triumphed over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain.
During her victory over French qualifier Jessika Ponchet at the Grandstand, Wozniacki—who had Williams as a bridesmaid at her wedding—joked that she was “pretty mad” because Williams wasn’t present for her match as well.
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Clearly, Serena is still quite busy. Wozniacki stated, “I believe that if you’ve been so good at something, you’ll always have the chance to excel at whatever you set your mind to.”
“We have a great time hanging together. Our conversations are really enjoyable. I appreciate her assistance as well.”
