Despite her announced retirement, Serena Williams is not yet leaving the field. At the US Open, the 40-year-old surprises with a second-round victory against Kontaveit, second in the world rankings. How did she do it? “I’m a pretty good player,” Williams said after the match.
The farewell to Serena Williams has been postponed again: The tennis icon caused a big surprise at the US Open and entered the third round to thunderous applause at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The 23-time Grand Slam winner from the USA won against second in the world rankings Anett Kontaveit from Estonia after a strong performance 7: 6 (7: 4), 2: 6, 6: 2.
The 40-year-old was later asked on the pitch how she did it. “I’m a pretty good player,” Williams replied, smiling into the microphone. “It’s what I do best. I like a challenge.” In addition, she can play freely. “I have nothing to prove, nothing to lose,” said the tennis star. “It’s fun, I enjoy it”.
In the next round, the long-standing world number one, who showed much more enthusiasm and self-confidence than in the opening match against Danka Kovinic from Montenegro, meets Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. It is most likely the last Grand Slam tournament for the exceptional athlete. At the hard court tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where she won her first Grand Slam title in 1999 at the age of 17, Williams still competes in doubles with her sister Venus. Opponents on Thursday are Lucie Hradecka/Linda Noskova from the Czech Republic.
The Williams sisters, who have won 14 Grand Slam tournaments in doubles together, are back together on the pitch for the first time since the 2018 French Open thanks to a wildcard. Williams announced her retirement as a competitive athlete three weeks ago – in style for her in the fashion magazine “Vogue”. When she thinks about it, she feels “great pain. It’s the hardest thing I could ever imagine,” the American, who will soon be 41, explained.
