Serena Williams extends career with US Open win, admitting: ‘It has been such a hard decision’
Serena Williams has extended her career by at least one more match after she beat Danka Kovinic at the US Open.
The 23-time major winner will retire from tennis after the tournament after a stunning career, and she rolled back the years to make a winning start.
Williams did look nervy at times, and she was given a stern test by Kovinic, but once she found her serving rhythm she was able to ease to a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 win.
“First of all thanks, I didn’t expect any of this,” Serena Williams said on court after the US Open afforded her an emotional tribute. “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’.
“It has been such a hard decision because I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away.
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“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.”
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