Following her win over Anett Kontaveit -- the second-ranked participant on this planet -- within the U.S. Open, Serena Williams humbly admitted she's a 'fairly good participant.'
Serena Williams superior to the third spherical of the U.S. Open on Wednesday (Aug. 31) after a wonderful show on the court docket of Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY. Taking part in in what may very well be her ultimate singles match, Serena, 40, knocked out second seed Anett Kontaveit in a efficiency that left followers – together with Tiger Woods– on their ft. After defeating Anett, 26, in three units (7-6, 2-6, 6-2), a assured Serena mentioned that “that is what I do finest” in a courtside interview. “I really like a problem. I really like rising to the problem.”
Serena, shocked at her degree? 😏 pic.twitter.com/QP41An73FE
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022
“I’m a fairly good participant,” Serena mentioned earlier within the interview. “I haven’t performed many matches, however I’ve been training rather well. My previous few matches, it simply wasn’t coming collectively, and I’m like, ‘however this isn’t me.’ The final couple of matches right here in New York has actually come collectively.” Serena mentioned that dropping the second set was a little bit of a wake-up name. “I assumed, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve bought to offer my finest effort as a result of this is likely to be it.'” Fortunately for her supporters, Serena rallied. You recognize there’s no rush right here. I’m loving this crowd – it’s actually incredible,” she mentioned. “There’s nonetheless a little bit left in me. We’ll see.”
Breaking information: Serena Williams is a fairly good participant. pic.twitter.com/maMbAod5EQ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022
Serena revealed within the September 2022 concern of Vogue that she’s getting ready for life after tennis. “I’ve been pondering of this as a transition…” she wrote. “Perhaps the very best phrase to explain what I’m as much as is evolution. I’m right here to let you know that I’m evolving away from tennis, towards different issues which might be vital to me.” She cited her pursuits exterior of the court docket as a motive for her departure – together with rising her household together with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and daughter Olympia. “However nowadays, if I've to decide on between constructing my tennis résumé and constructing my household, I select the latter.”
The curtain name should wait; Serena’s subsequent match is towards Ajla Tomljanović, the No. 38 ranked participant on this planet, on Sept. 2. The match can be one other likelihood for Serena’s followers and movie star supporters to point out up and present out. Tiger, 26, and his girlfriend, Erica Herman, watched as Serena put away Kontaveit on Wednesday. “It was a privilege to look at greatness. Congrats @serenawilliams,” he tweeted after the match.
“He’s one of many causes I’m right here, one of many most important causes I’m nonetheless enjoying,” Serena advised reporters when discussing Tiger, per CNN. “We talked lots. He was actually attempting to get me motivated. There are a couple of individuals, however we had been like: ‘OK, we will do that collectively, you realize?'”