US Open 2022: Serena Williams goes into retirement after crashing out of the US Open in third round

Arguably the greatest female tennis player of all time, Serena Williams, was on a sensational run in the ongoing US Open. After defeating number two Anett Kontaveit in the second round, hopes were for her to win the tournament. All the hopes, however, have come crashing down as the 23 Grand Slam winner lost in the third round and crashed out of the US Open.

Playing against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, Williams lost the match in three sets with a score of 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1. The 29-year-old was in peak form coming into this match as she had won 15 of her last 19 matches. Williams lost the first round but came back stronger in the second as she defeated Tomljanovic by 6-7. The third round came up as the decider and it was won by the Australian Tomljanovic.

After the loss, Williams took a tearful farewell from the crowd and when asked if she would reconsider retirement, the 40-year-old said, “I don’t think so, but you never know.”

“It’s been a fun ride,” she said. “It’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on, I mean, in my life. I’m just so grateful to every single person that’s ever said, ‘Go, Serena,’ in their life. I’m just so grateful. You got me here,” said the 23 Grand Slam winner as she bid farewell to the emotional crowd.

Serena came into the US Open 2022 unseeded and outside of the 600 rankings. She defeated D Kovinic in the first and Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the US Open.

Earlier, Williams announced retirement through the fashion magazine Vogue saying, ” I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis. It’s like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist.”

Serena and Venus Williams earlier lost in the Tennis doubles in the first round at the US Open.