After struggling Stars reaction through three tight sets, the 23-time Grand Slam champion lost to Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in Friday’s match, marking the end of her nearly 30-year career.
As Stars reaction Serena Williams concludes what may be the final chapter of her US Open career on Friday night in NY, celebrities and fans alike took to social media to express their support and admiration for the tennis icon.
Expectations were high at Arthur Ashe Stadium after 40-year-old Williams dominated the first two sets, but her opponent, Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia, was always looking to hit back. Tomljanovic won the first set 7-5, and Williams won the tiebreak in the second but failed to beat the Australian in the third and lost 6-1. In awe of the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s performance. Public figures including Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Tiger Woods, Michelle Obama and others honoured Williams during and after a match that marked the possible end of an era.
“Congratulations on a great career, @SerenaWilliams!” wrote the former First Lady on Friday. “How lucky we are to see a young girl from Compton grow into one of the greatest athletes of all time.”
“I’m proud of you, my friend. Also, I can’t wait to see the lives you continue to change with your talent,” he added.
Magic Johnson thanked Williams for her contribution to the sports industry, writing on Twitter. Just watched the last US Open for the greatest of all time, Serena Williams!! Serena means so much to sport, tennis, the world, to every little girl and beyond. To every little black girl in the world. @serenawilliams #thanksSerena.”
She continued, “Serena proved you could dream bigger than where you come from. From South Central LA to the biggest the world has ever seen… what a story! Thanks to her parents, Richard and Oracene Williams, for the work. What they did in raising Serena, Venus, and all their children.”