US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (2024)

Harry Poole, Steve Sutcliffe and Ros Satar

All times stated are UK

  1. Raducanu in action on day two

    We'll be back with live text commentary of day two at the US Open from 16:00 BST.

    What can you look forward to?

    Well, for a start, Britain's defending champion Emma Raducanu begins her title defence against Alize Cornet.

    Cameron Norrie is in action against France's Benoit Paire, Dan Evans meets Jiri Vesely, while Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams also begin their campaigns.

    Catch you later!

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (1)

    Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

  2. What's happened on the opening day?

  3. What else is going on at the US Open?

    Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is embroiled in an almighty battle to avoid an early exit in New York against Colombian Daniel Galan.

    Having lost the first two sets, Tsitsipas won the third and he's just broken for a 6-5 lead in the fourth.

    Next up on Arthur Ashe Stadium is Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios up against compatriot and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis.

  4. 'I just want people to feel inspired'

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (2)

    USA Today SportsCopyright: USA Today Sports

    On her legacy, Serena Williams said:

    "I just want people to think how hard one tried and it is so important to give your all no matter what obstacles you face.

    "I have had ups and downs but no matter what you are going through out there, I just want people to be inspired.

    "I am from Compton, California - and I made it."

    On also playing doubles with her sister, Venus, in New York:

    "We are laying it all out here. It will be fun playing doubles with Venus and I am really look forward to it."

    And finally, on what she is looking forward to after tennis:

    "I look forward to waking up and not running to the court, and I just want to be a good mum to Olympia. I am just Serena and I feel I just blend in with the crowd sometimes.

    "Just keep coming out and supporting me while I am here."

  5. 'It's hard to walk away from your passion'

    Here's what Serena Williams had to say:

    "First of all thanks, I didn't expect any of this. I always have to do the best that I can. I have always felt so comfortable here.

    "The crowd was crazy! It really helped pull me through. I was really pumped. I thought 'I got this'."

    On how difficult it was to make the decision to retire:

    "It has been such a hard decision because I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away.

    "I have been trying to decide what to do. I love this game because it keeps you fit - and that's a bonus.

    "I think now's the time. I have a family and there's other chapters in life. I call it evolution.

    "It's like Serena 2.0. I will still be crazy, I'll still be intense. I'll still be around."

  6. Post update

    Kovinic 3-6 3-6 Williams

    There's time for one final surprise for Serena!

    The crowd nail their big moment, holding up their placards to reveal a message reading 'We love Serena'. Very well done everyone.

  7. Post update

    Kovinic 3-6 3-6 Williams

    And now it's Serena Williams' turn to do the talking.

    "I've been down and out so many times. You just never give up. No matter what you're going through. I just want people to be inspired by my story," she says.

    "It's like Serena 2.0," she adds on what life after tennis will look like.

  8. 'I didn't want to let Serena down'

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (4)

    Andy Murray

    Three-time Slam champion

    After coming through his first round match earlier today, Andy Murray was asked about Serena Williams:

    "When I played with her, she was extremely competitive. You don't have the results that she had and won as much as she had over time without being super competitive.

    "The side that I got to see with her - she has a really good sense of humour. We had a lot of fun, a good time on the court. she cracked a lot of jokes when we were playing the mixed doubles (at Wimbledon 2019) and that was really important for me.

    "I was nervous playing with her, I hadn't played that much coming into Wimbledon that year and obviously she is an unbelievable player and I didn't want to let her down. She made me feel very comfortable being on the court with her, and that was nice."

  9. 'You are fearless, and you hate to lose'

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (5)

    Billie Jean King

    Six-time Wimbledon singles champion

    Here's what Billie Jean King had to say to Serena Williams on court in full:

    "I am wearing pink tonight because it is Serena's favourite colour. We first met in April of April 1988 when she was six years old, and Venus was seven, in a tennis clinic. I will never forget that day. I asked he if she could serve. She serves - and I told her 'don't change a thing.'

    "You are fearless and you hate to lose, and it is great, you touched our hearts and minds to be our authentic self, to use our voices and to dream big.

    "Thank you for your leadership for diversity and inclusion, especially for women, and women of colour.

    "Thank you for sharing your journey with every single one of us."

  10. Post update

    Kovinic 3-6 3-6 Williams

    American former world number one Billie Jean King is welcomed on to pay tribute to Serena Williams on Arthur Ashe.

    She recalls the first time she met Serena - and first caught a glimpse of her serve.

    "Don't change a thing" was her advice to a young Serena that day.

    "Thank you for sharing your journey with every single one of us," Billie Jean King adds. "You're just beginning."

  11. 'This is not the time to say goodbye'

    Kovinic 3-6 3-6 Williams

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (6)

    Laura Robson

    Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There is delight on the face of Serena Williams - she plays on.

    This is not the end. This is not the time to say goodbye.

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (7)

    Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

  12. Post update

    Kovinic 3-6 3-6 Williams

    Next up for Serena Williams, on Wednesday, is Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit. What an occasion that will be.

  13. Post update

    Kovinic 3-6 3-6 Williams

    What an incredible atmosphere. Danka Kovinic is cheered off the court, which is now being prepared for a pre-planned tribute to Serena Williams.

    It's not the emotional goodbye some may have feared, however.

  14. Game, set and match - Williams

    Kovinic 3-6 3-6 Williams

    There haven't been many nights quite like this on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

    Serena Williams' tennis career continues!

  15. Match points Williams

    *Kovinic 3-6 3-5 Williams

    And that will be three match points for Serena Williams!

  16. Post update

    *Kovinic 3-6 3-5 Williams

    There's a hint Danka Kovinic may just be running out of steam here.

    A double fault is followed by an unforced error. 0-30...

  17. 'Vintage Serena tennis'

    *Kovinic 3-6 3-5 Williams

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (8)

    Laura Robson

    Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The serving in this game has been outstanding from Serena, especially after a tricky couple of games on her serve.

    Her reaction was so confident - it was one of those classic Serena moments with her arm raised in the air, fist clenched.

    She has played some vintage Serena tennis.

  18. Williams holds

    *Kovinic 3-6 3-5 Williams

    A brilliant backhand winner completes a love hold for Serena Williams and has the crowd on their feet.

    Arthur Ashe is becoming increasingly confident of a home win here. One more game.

  19. Post update

    Kovinic 3-6 3-4 Williams*

    US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (9)

    Russell Fuller

    Tennis correspondent at Wimbledon

    It is not a bad night to be in the square if you can't be in the stadium. You really want to experience it from every angle.

    If you have a ticket for Wednesday night, you'd be pretty confident of seeing Serena Williams.

  20. Post update

    Kovinic 3-6 3-4 Williams*

    Right then. A big game coming up for Serena Williams here.

    Hold serve and she's within touching distance of a second-round appearance.

    Some solid serving helps her make a great start. 30-0.

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US Open: Williams begins farewell with win over Kovinic (2024)
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