Serena Williams Swan Song: Athletes, celebrities, leaders react to tennis legend’s retirement
Serena Williams’ quarter-century professional tennis career came to end with a 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open. Williams’ legacy has made an impact on and off the court, and her 27 years on tour have proven the icon to be one of the all-time greatest athletes in the history of any sport – male or female. So here is how the athletes, stars, leaders has been reacting to Williams’ retirement:
Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama
Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams!
How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.
I’m proud of you, my friend—and I can’t wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents. pic.twitter.com/VWONEMAwz3
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 3, 2022
“Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams! How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. I’m proud of you, my friend — and I can’t wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents.”
Former Tennis world No One Billie Jean King
Her incredible career made its mark on tennis history.
And yet her greatest contributions may be yet to come.
Thank you, @serenawilliams.
Your journey continues. #serena #USOpen https://t.co/0wDFfRN3Dq
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 3, 2022
“Her incredible career made its mark on tennis history. And yet her greatest contributions may be yet to come. Thank you, @serenawilliams. Your journey continues.”
Golf great Tiger Woods
.@serenawilliams you’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 3, 2022
“@serenawilliams you’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!”
Australian tennis player Ajla Tomljanovic
“I’m feeling really sorry just because I love Serena just as much as you guys do. What she’s done for me, for the sport of tennis, is incredible. I never thought I’d have a chance to play her in her last match when I remember watching her in all those finals, so this is a surreal moment for me. I thought she would beat me, so the pressure wasn’t on me. Even to the last point, I knew she’s in a position to win even when she’s down 5-1. That’s just who she is and she’s the greatest of all time. Period.”
Four times gymnastics Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles
thank you @serenawilliams for transcending sports for black athletes, female athletes and every athlete🤍
such a pleasure to watch, thanks for being an inspiration
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) September 3, 2022
“Thank you @serenawilliams for transcending sports for black athletes, female athletes and every athlete. Such a pleasure to watch, thanks for being an inspiration.”
Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps
It’s truly been fun to watch Serena not only change the sport of tennis, but more importantly, how she’s helped empower the next generation. Her tennis accomplishments speak for themselves, but one of the things I admire about her is she simply doesn’t quit. On or off the court
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 3, 2022
“It’s truly been fun to watch Serena not only change the sport of tennis, but more importantly, how she’s helped empower the next generation.
“Her tennis accomplishments speak for themselves, but one of the things I admire about her is she simply doesn’t quit. On or off the court her will, her strength, her determination … she simply never gives up. She’s a great example to us all.”
American tennis player Coco Gauff
Serena, THANK YOU. It is because of you I believe in this dream. The impact you’ve had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together and for that I say thank you, thank you, thank you, GOAT! pic.twitter.com/qeNZlC05WJ
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) September 3, 2022
“Serena, THANK YOU. It is because of you I believe in this dream. The impact you’ve had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together and for that I say thank you, thank you, thank you, GOAT!”
FORMER DOUBLES TOP-10 TENNIS PLAYER VANIA KING
“It has been an honour to watch Serena as a child, to play on the same Fed Cup team as a 17-year-old, compete against her on the biggest stage of our sport (and bring Beyonce and Jay-Z to watch me), and as GOATs do, finish her career years after mine.”
Four-times NBA Champion LeBron James
#SerenaWilliams THANK YOU 🐐!! You’re so damn DOPE!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🤎 https://t.co/5tSbzz7UHw
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 3, 2022
“You’re a GOAT. What you’ve done for the sport, what you’ve done for women … is unprecedented. It was an honour to watch your journey, to watch you conquer all the goals you ever set, to see you break records, to see you just be amazing on the tennis court and also off it.”
Former tennis world no one Andy Roddick
I love you @serenawilliams It’s been the pleasure of a lifetime to watch you become what you have. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you my old friend
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 3, 2022
“I love you @serenawilliams It’s been the pleasure of a lifetime to watch you become what you have. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you my old friend.”
Los Angeles Lakers basketball great Earvin Magic Johnson
Congratulations, Serena for an inspiring career! Cookie & I are so excited for you. I remember when we talked about you becoming an entrepreneur. Now, I look forward to watching you grow in business! @serenawilliams #Serena
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 3, 2022
“Congratulations, Serena for an inspiring career! Cookie and I are so excited for you. I remember when we talked about you becoming an entrepreneur. Now, I look forward to watching you grow in business!”
World Cup winning American soccer player Alex Morgan
Serena fighting until the last point, always. You’ve given so much to tennis, and so much to womens sports. Thank you @serenawilliams
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 3, 2022
“Serena fighting until the last point, always. You’ve given so much to tennis, and so much to women’s sports. Thank you @serenawilliams.”
Former tennis world no four James Blake
Serena. Thank you for being you and the inspiration to so many men and women. I’ve never seen a more intense competitor and it was an honor to share a court with you and watch history. Simply the best. @serenawilliams
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 3, 2022
“Serena. Thank you for being you and the inspiration to so many men and women. I’ve never seen a more intense competitor and it was an honour to share a court with you and watch history. Simply the best.”
American talk show host Oprah Winfrey
25 years. Champion. Shero. Legend forever! @serenawilliams #USOpen pic.twitter.com/xdo4dy4fpP
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) September 3, 2022
“25 years. Champion. Shero. Legend forever!”
Seven-times tennis grand slam champion Mats Wilander
“Serena has meant so much for tennis and the world, but for America as well. I was watching the crowd and there are so many people here that have never been to a tennis match before… she has brought tennis to a completely new level and transcended the sport. We are going to remember Serena the person forever.”
Olympic track champion Allyson Felix
I’m so grateful for @serenawilliams. What she has given this sport and us will never be lost on me. #ThankYouSerena
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) September 3, 2022
“I’m so grateful for @serenawilliams. What she has given this sport and us will never be lost on me. #ThankYouSerena.”
Baseball Hall fF Famer Derek Jeter
It’s been a joy watching greatness! Congrats Serena!
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) September 3, 2022
“It’s been a joy watching greatness! Congrats Serena!”
Former tennis world no seven Barbara Schett
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“It’s hard to believe the Serena Williams era is finished, probably the Venus Williams era is finished as well. It was just unbelievable how she held up such a big fight at the end.”
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