At the end of an fantastic profession that lasted 27 several years, marked by 23 Grand Slam titles, Serena Williams, who has turn into 1 of the best gamers in tennis heritage, is about to retire to the US Open up, the scene of her initially exploits.
For the very first time in the historical past of the New York Main, the culmination of this 138th edition will almost certainly not be the finals, but a match in the initially spherical. Due to the fact it could very well be the very last contest from the huge winner, who has turn into an icon considerably past the fields, on Monday in opposition to the Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (80th).
The 40-calendar year-aged American announced in early August that the “countdown” for her retirement had begun, definitely without having specifying when or where she would retire.
Without ready, the New York crowd snatched their seats for the US Open, the first three sold out nights. Tickets that are resold at a substantial price tag, their price has enhanced by 34% on dedicated internet sites.
“There will come a time in lifestyle when we have to determine to go in a unique way. This minute is constantly difficult when you love something so a great deal,” she instructed Vogue journal in August, promising to “savor these couple months to arrive.” .
Did she be successful, hitting her very last balls? I’m not guaranteed.
– “The Fan’s Fantasy” –
6 weeks just after her failed comeback at Wimbledon, exactly where France’s Harmony Tan ruined her comeback soon after practically a year’s absence, Williams was knocked out in the 2nd round in Toronto by Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. Ditto for her entry into the race in Cincinnati, overcome by the British Emma Raducanu, reigning champion at the US Open up.
If she couldn’t maintain again a several psychological tears to say goodbye to Canada, Serena left Ohio without having a phrase. For the reason that even if the harsh truth imposes by itself, she will by no means get utilised to the strategy of losing.
Serena is aware she has minor likelihood of winning a 24th Important, which would ultimately equivalent this Margaret Court report right after which she has been chasing due to the fact 2017 and her Australian Open gain, then expecting with daughter Olympia.
“It really is the fan’s fantasy. I recognize that,” he agreed. But ending where it all began in 1999, when she made available her first Grand Slam at the age of 17, and if probable with dignity, this is her supreme challenge.
As such, the emotion as a result promises to peak on Monday in Flushing Meadows, the place she has been “Serenissime” quite a few times, witnessed by her 6 coronations, to which are additional seven at the Australian Open up, 7 at Wimbledon and 3 at Roland – Garro.
Globe No.1 Iga Swiatek, favored on paper, will be subjected to a further variety of tension.
The Pole, unplayable in the spring (37 wins and six titles in a row, which include Roland-Garros) missing his luster this summer season, complaining in distinct about the Toronto and Cincinnati balls, which will be used at the US Open up.
– Nadal-Medvedev final? –
In the men’s field, in the absence of Novak Djokovic, prevented from getting into the United States mainly because he was not vaccinated, Alexander Zverev, who is managing an ankle, and Roger Federer, whose return is scheduled for September, duel in the last concerning Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev loom.
The Spaniard, winner of the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, can provide the Grand Slam record to 23, widening the hole with “Djoko” (21 given that the triumph at Wimbledon). But a whole-bodied method awaits him with maybe the Russian Aslan Karatsev, the Argentine Diego Schwartzman, the British Cameron Norrie and his compatriot, the phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals.
The Russian will check out to keep his title and his position as selection 1 in the earth. And on the road there will be no lack of opponents, with a achievable 8th against the Australian volcanic Nick Kyrgios, just before a doable time against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has just beaten him at “Cincy”.
The sporting stakes are often higher at the US Open. But, as Bruce Springsteen sings, nothing at all would seem to be extra thrilling than a “New York City Serenade”. While “Queen Williams” confident him: “I’m not wanting for a ceremony or a last moment on the pitch. I suck at goodbyes, the worst in the earth.”
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