As she left the field of play on Thursday at the Rod Laver Arena, Serena Williams paused for a moment as the newly returned crowd stood up and watered her with applause. He raised his left arm to shake before running his hand over his heart, as if to let them know the feeling was mutual. He paused for a moment, soaked in the ovation like the late summer sun of Melbourne and made a wave again before disappearing into the tunnel.
Her career at the 2021 Australian Open was over and ended in series followed in the semifinals by her heiress, Naomi Osaka. And then the questions started … on TV, on social media and maybe even from your own couch: did the match end all?
Less than an hour later, as he sat in front of dozens of members of the media in person and other people around the world on computers, Williams was asked if the moment on the field was a farewell, for example.
“I don’t know,” he said at his press conference. “If he ever fired me, I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
She smiled, but quickly faded. When the next reporter began to ask an innocuous question about the uncharacteristic amount of unforced errors Williams had in the match, he tried to fight the tears by drinking water, looking down, or shielding his eyes with his visor. His voice broke as he began to respond.
“I don’t know,” he said, before abruptly getting to his feet and stating, “I’m done.”
Williams walked away again, leaving behind more questions than answers.
Although Williams herself has given no concrete indication of an imminent retirement, the 39-year time in the sport is inevitably nearing an end. And if this was the last time we saw Williams at the Australian Open or if she played several more years, the sport is better thanks to her, as Osaka herself proves in part.
He seemed to like it all coming close to Williams this fortnight. She had played possibly her best tennis since returning from maternity leave in 2018 and was heading to the tournament unscathed, after recovering from a persistent Achilles tendon injury that had left her forced to retire at the French Open, delayed by the pandemic, in September.
Williams held on to the powerful Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the fourth round in Melbourne. He had dismantled Simona Halep, world number 2, who had defeated Williams in the 2019 Wimbledon final, in the quarterfinals.
Having won seven titles in Melbourne, including the most recent in 2017 while she was pregnant with her daughter, Olympia, the city and the tournament occupy a special place in Williams ’heart, and she seemed the perfect place to make history. The winner of 23 major titles, has been on the verge of tying Margaret Court’s long track record since that return in 2018 and has come so close, reaching four Grand Slam finals and two semifinals during this period. .
For this last opportunity, Williams had to beat Osaka again. The 23-year-old had won his important meeting before the famous 2018 US Open final, and it was serendipitous for Williams to have another chance against Osaka with so many things on the line. In a battle of the greatest of all time against the greatest of the moment, Williams wanted to prove he was still both.
But in Osaka, Serena-ed Serena is simply better in every way that Williams has long mastered tennis. Osaka had six aces (all three of Williams) and won 85% in the first serve, won all four break points and recorded 20 winners. After opening two nerve-wracking games, where he struggled with the ball throw, Osaka did not reopen the door to Williams.
Osaka advanced to their fourth grand final, where they will face American Jennifer Brady and try to improve on the perfect 4-0 when she plays on the biggest stage. Since his first victory at the 2018 US Open, Osaka, which represents Japan but grew and settled in the United States, has risen in rankings and become one of the most visible athletes in the world. . Like so many, he has his American counterpart Williams to thank.
Osaka’s father now started playing tennis with her and her sister due to the success of Williams and her sister Venus. He followed the plan set by Richard Williams and put rackets in the hands of his two young daughters.
“My young aspirations owe a lot to Serena and Venus,” Osaka wrote in a column for The Telegraph last month. “Without these pioneers, there would be no Naomi, no Coco [Gauff], no Sloane [Stephens], in Madison [Keys]. Everything we did was inspired by them, and my sister and I would dream of one day playing them in a Grand Slam final. “
The success of the Williams sisters motivated many to play a sport they might not otherwise have considered. At the 2020 U.S. Open, there was a record 12 black women, nearly 10 percent of the field, in the individual draw. Teenager Robin Montgomery was part of the group and did not hesitate to discuss the influence the sisters had in her life when she spoke to ESPN before the tournament.
“Of course, Serena and Venus have been my role models since my youth,” she said. “My goal is to have the opportunity to inspire the younger generations in the way that Serena and Venus were able to inspire my generation and so many other generations.”
Throughout her history, Serena Williams has been much more than “just” a tennis player. She is a one-time pop culture icon, famous businesswoman, star frequented on the cover of a magazine and a powerful advocate for racial and gender equality. Osaka has followed the path that Williams paved, finding his own voice and identity.
Williams ’legacy is so much more than trophies, records and aces, though they have been impressive. It should hardly be surprising when we see Osaka discussing gender equality during a postmatch press conference, as he did on Thursday; he is not afraid to take a stand, because he has seen it countless times.
Osaka will try to add to his trophy case on Saturday as he competes for his fourth career Grand Slam title. Williams will have to wait for his next chance to win another one, if he plans to continue playing. Williams took to Instagram later on Thursday, posting a photo of herself wearing one of her exclusive Nike T-shirts and standing with her arms outstretched next to a note to Australian fans.
“I am very honored to be able to play in front of all of you,” part of his post said. “Your support, your encouragement, I just wish I could have done better today. I’m indebted forever and grateful to each and every one of you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I adore you . “
Many will no doubt speculate on Thursday’s post and events, but it will only be Williams who will decide when it’s time to leave. She deserves it more than that. But when asked about the end of Williams ’legendary career, Osaka seemed to speak for all Williams fans.
“It’s a little sad when you say it like that because, for me, I want it to play forever,” he said. “This is the little boy of mine.”