We saw Serena Williams last night and will likely see her again tomorrow and Friday and how long she stays alive as well at the US Open, her last tournament before calling it a career.
Plan to drink at the GOAT while we can, and of course the US National Tennis Center has a history of farewells with Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, and other great American players taking their final bows.
Crowd on their feet ready to roar for a #Serena win.
What a night at the #USOpen. pic.twitter.com/zhYf0RWq1G
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
Something about this evening crowd of boisterous New Yorkers that tends to get the best out of old lions. And the sheer vastness of Arthur Ashe Stadium is a spectacle in itself. Today it is one of the largest crowds and scenes in all of global sport.
As a white man, I see Serena’s swan song the same way, but yesterday during that post-game ceremony, it seemed that others saw her through a different lens. That Williams is more to women and people of color than just a great tennis player.
She is empowerment. She is a trailblazer. She is a symbol of achievement in a traditionally rich white sport.
Oprah shared a tribute video for Serena ❤️ #USOpen pic.twitter.com/rx2qCeVymF
— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2022
I’m not the biggest fan of Will Smith either, but I loved King Richard, the feature film based on the rise of the Williams family and their takeover of women’s tennis.
I’ve never been a Serena fan. Can’t get over her three tantrums at the Open, which included rude threats to linemen and insults to the chair umpire, and her insincere, chanting press conferences.
But I recognize her genius on the court and her position at the forefront of all of women’s tennis – if not all of it. Not only did she change the game, she’s owned it for almost two decades and inspired many along the way.
And so I’m going to draw for Serena for the next game or fortnight.
If I can root for Connors, McEnroe, and some of tennis’ other enfants terribles, I’m sure I can root for someone of importance.
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