On a humid Friday evening in early September of 2022, the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open could be described as electric, with approximately 23,000 fans enthusiastically cheering for Serena Williams as she competed in what would ultimately mark her final professional tennis match.
It was nearly 23 years to the day since Williams, then a 17-year-old, claimed her first major title at the 1999 US Open, marking the beginning of an illustrious career that would see her secure a record-breaking 23 Grand Slam titles, the most in the modern era among women. As Williams bid farewell to the crowd in Queens and to the sport that she had significantly influenced over the span of two and a half decades, she reflected on the humble beginnings of her remarkable journey, expressing gratitude to her parents – Oracene Price and Richard Williams – for laying the foundation of her success: “It all started with my parents,” she tearfully remarked on court.
“And they deserve everything.” While her father, Richard, had boldly predicted that his daughters Serena and Venus Williams would become future world No. 1s, their impact transcended the sport, with a combined total of 48 major titles and five Olympic gold medals, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Their iconic status has inspired a new wave of Black champions from the U.S., including Grand Slam winners Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens, as well as top-ranked players Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, among others. “They’re the reason why I have this trophy today, to be honest,” Gauff acknowledged in 2023, referring to Venus and Serena after winning her own maiden US Open. “They have allowed me to believe in this dream… all the things that they had to go through, they made it easier for someone like me to do this.”
By the conclusion of Serena’s final match at Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2022, her influence extended far beyond Black players or aspiring tennis champions – she had become a towering figure across the entire sports landscape, embodying a cultural symbol of unwavering determination and the transformative power of hard work. Her legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration for all.
“For me, tennis has been such a huge part of my life, I can’t imagine not being involved in tennis,” she remarked during her last US Open press conference. “Although I’m unsure of what form my continued involvement will take, tennis holds such deep meaning for me, and I’ve experienced countless incredible moments that I cannot imagine a future devoid of it.”
