Photos: The wild scene at the US Open as Serena Williams’ run continues
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NEW YORK (AP) — Serena Williams can call it “evolving” or “retiring” or whatever she wants. And she can be coy about whether or not this U.S. Open will actually mark the end of her playing days. Those 23 Grand Slam titles earned that right.
If she keeps playing like this, who knows how long this farewell will last?
No matter what happens once her trip to Flushing Meadows is over, here is what is important to know after Wednesday night: The 40-year-old Williams is still around, she’s still capable of terrific tennis, she’s still winning — and, like the adoring spectators whose roars filled Arthur Ashe Stadium again — she’s ready for more.
Williams eliminated No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2 in the U.S. Open’s second round to ensure that she will play at least one more singles match at what she’s hinted will be the last tournament of her illustrious career.
“There’s still a little left in me,” Williams said with a smile during her on-court interview, then acknowledged during her post-match news conference: “These moments are clearly fleeting.” Full story here:
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, walks on to the court ahead of a match against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Seth Wenig
Serena Williams, of the United States, warms up before playing against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Seth Wenig
Tiger Woods, right, greets Venus Williams while watching play between Serena Williams, of the United States, and Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Seth Wenig
Serena Williams, of the United States, serves to Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Seth Wenig
Serena Williams, of the United States, walks to her bench between sets against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Frank Franklin II
A fan holds a sign in support of Serena Williams, of the United States, as she competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
A fan holds a sign in support of Serena Williams, of the United States, as she competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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John Minchillo
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts during a match against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, at the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Julia Nikhinson
Serena Williams, of the United States, serves against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
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John Minchillo
Fans cheer for Serena Williams, of the United States, during her match against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, at the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Seth Wenig
Tennis fans and Spike Lee react to play between Serena Williams, of the United States, Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Julia Nikhinson
Fans react as Serena Williams, of the United States, competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Venus Williams watches her sister Serena Williams, of the United States, compete against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Olympia Ohanian, center left, sits in the stands with family while her mother Serena Williams, of the United States, competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts after losing a point during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts after beating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, returns a shot against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts after beating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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John Minchillo
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts after defeating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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John Minchillo
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts after defeating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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John Minchillo
Serena Williams, of the United States, meets with fans after defeating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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John Minchillo
Serena Williams, of the United States, meets with fans after defeating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Julia Nikhinson
Serena Williams, of the United States, competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
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Julia Nikhinson
Serena Williams, of the United States, signs autographs after beating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, waves after beating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, sits on the bench after she beat Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Julia Nikhinson
Serena Williams, of the United States, signs autographs after beating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
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Julia Nikhinson
Serena Williams, of the United States, signs autographs after beating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
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Frank Franklin II
A fan holds a sign for Serena Williams, of the United States, after she beat Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Seal poses for a photo after Serena Williams, of the United States, beat Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Frank Franklin II
Serena Williams, of the United States, speaks to the media after beating Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, in the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson
Fans react as Serena Williams, of the United States, competes against Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in New York.
