WATCH: Serena Williams looking pumped for ‘last dance’ at US Open
Serena Williams has taken to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time in her US Open preparation as New York prepares to say farewell one of its greatest champions.
The 23-time Slam champion is set to make her 21st appearance at Flushing Meadows at the age of 40 having debuted at the US Open aged 16 in 1998.
It will be an 81st Slam main draw appearance for the six-time US Open champion, and her first in New York since reaching the semi-finals of the Covid-restricted 2020 event.
Practising on Ashe, Serena chose world number three and 2021 semi-finalist Maria Sakkari as her hitting partner.
Last Dance pending ⏳
🎥: @usopen | @serenawilliamspic.twitter.com/k8RKjqS2er
— wta (@WTA) August 23, 2022
With the draws releasing Thursday before action gets underway Monday, fans will be hoping to see at least one more victory for Serena after the 106 she has already secured at her home Slam, the most by any player in the history of the tournament.
Unseeded and requiring a wildcard to play the event, Serena could face anyone in the draw of 128, from defending champion Emma Raducanu to older sister Venus.
She comes into New York with just five singles matches played in the last year, winning one at the Canadian Open earlier in August.
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