| Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 29 August-11 September |
| Protection: Every day radio commentaries throughout BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport web site and app, with chosen reside textual content commentaries and match experiences on the web site and app |
From the glowing video tributes and an array of A-Checklist stars in attendance, every thing on a celebratory evening on the US Open pointed in the direction of Serena Williams’ impending retirement.
Williams’ first-round match on Monday – which may have been the ultimate of her storied profession – was the centrepiece of an emotional fanfare on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion not too long ago introduced she plans to “evolve away” from the game and her residence main is anticipated to be a farewell.
However after beating Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic within the first spherical, 40-year-old Williams continued to play a guessing sport.
Requested if this was undoubtedly her closing event, she smiled and stated: “I have been fairly obscure about it. I will keep obscure since you by no means know.”
Night time matches on Ashe all the time create an electrical ambiance, however this was one other degree to many others and offered a way of theatre and drama not typically seen at a tennis occasion.
It began with a video montage paying homage to Williams’ achievements as a participant and an individual, whereas she waited backstage earlier than arriving in a caped glittery gown and diamond-encrusted trainers.
A string of big-name celebrities from style, movie, tv, music and politics had been watching from the gang, earlier than tennis legend Billie Jean King and tv icon Oprah Winfrey paid tribute in one other post-match celebration.
That got here after Williams confirmed she may nonetheless win on the highest degree, overcoming a scrappy begin to beat world quantity 80 Kovinic in straight units.
Requested if nights like these had modified her thoughts about her retirement plans, the previous world primary stated: “It is extraordinarily tough nonetheless as a result of I completely love being on the market.
“The extra tournaments I play, I really feel just like the extra I can belong on the market. That is a tricky feeling to have, and to depart understanding the extra you do it, the extra you’ll be able to shine.
“But it surely’s time for me, you recognize, to evolve to the following factor. I feel it is vital as a result of there are such a lot of different issues that I need to do.”
Williams dwelling within the second – however what’s subsequent?
With this probably Williams’ goodbye, it was not stunning the US Open – which she has received six instances – wished to honour one in all their best champions in entrance of an adoring crowd.
However her victory additionally begs the query what is going to occur after when – or maybe if? – she does lose in New York this fortnight.
“It was so loud. I simply was overwhelmed in a great way,” Williams stated in regards to the reception when she walked out.
“I used to be simply considering, like: Is that this for actual? On the identical time, I am additionally considering: I nonetheless have a match to play.”
On the 2021 Australian Open, Williams stated she wouldn’t inform anybody when it was time to retire and have become upset when pressed additional in Melbourne.
Many thought that day had already arrived together with her having not performed for nearly a 12 months, however then she returned to the tour in preparation for this 12 months’s Wimbledon.
Then got here final month’s announcement in Vogue of her plan to “evolve away” from the game.
Sources near the previous world primary have informed BBC Sport it’s undoubtedly the top for Williams, who needs to increase her household with husband Alexis and provides four-year-old daughter Olympia a brother or sister.
Many gamers, together with Williams, have efficiently returned to the game after turning into a mom however none as outdated as a participant who turns 41 subsequent month.
Maybe the US Open’s plan was to have fun her profession within the glow of a victory? After which go away Williams – who says she was “actually emotional” following latest defeats in Toronto and Cincinnati – to slope off comparatively quietly following any exit at Flushing Meadows.
On Wednesday, she is going to face Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit, who has struggled for constant type this 12 months regardless of her rating.
“At this level, truthfully, every thing is a bonus for me I really feel,” Williams stated when requested in regards to the second-round match.
“I imply, I feel each opponent may be very tough. I’ve seen that over the summer time. The following one is much more tough.
“It is good that I used to be in a position to get this beneath my belt. I do not know, I am simply not even fascinated with that.
“I am simply fascinated with simply this second. I feel it is good for me simply to reside within the second now.”
