If the legacy of Serena Williams was in how she changed the game, both on and off the tennis court, she left with quite the gift. A playing career that spanned 25 years, 23 grand slam singles titles, and an unprecedented era of dominance has now, we expect, been brought to an end. Williams announced she would be “evolving” away from tennis ahead of the US Open and with her tournament now over after a three-set defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic, that process moves forward now. “It’s been a fun ride,” she said, in the clearest suggestion that this would be it.
Fittingly, an extraordinary career concluded with the most memorable of goodbyes. Across three nights in New York, as Williams took to her primetime slot on Arthur Ashe, what can often be a vast, empty bowl of an arena was enchanted, taking on a glittering, ethereal feel. It began in the opening round, the rawest of the nights as the sense of finality hung in the air, but was transformed as Williams emerged - sparkling and powerful in equal measure.
