In what is rumored to be her final U.S. Open, Serena Williams triumphed in her opening match on Monday night. At Flushing Meadows in New York City’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she won the 1999 U.S. Open at the age of 17, Williams defeated Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3.
After a long career in which she dominated and changed the women’s game and won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams, 40, announced earlier this month that she would be retiring from tennis.
Williams received congratulations from fans and fellow athletes as she got ready to play on Monday, and she even made Time magazine’s cover.
Serena Williams has claimed six U.S. Open singles titles, the most recent coming in 2014. With a 20-0 record in U.S. Open first-round matches and a streak of not losing a set since 2001, she is clearly the overwhelming favorite on paper for Monday night.
But Williams, who has lately made a comeback after battling injuries, is currently placed 605th in singles. The Montenegrin Kovinic, 27, who is her opponent, is placed 80th.
According to sports analyst Howard Bryant of Meadowlark Media, Williams has only competed in four bouts so far this year and has only achieved one victory.
Williams will continue to break new ground after she hangs up her tennis racket and concentrate on expanding the venture capital company she founded eight years ago.
