Category Archives: Tennis

Serena Williams Bids Tennis An Emotional Goodbye After Final Match

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Serena Williams bid an emotional goodbye to tennis after playing what is likely to be her final professional match on Friday.

The player bowed out of the third-round of the US Open tournament after losing in three sets to Ajla Tomljanovic.

Following her previous victories against Danka Kovinic and Anett Kontaveit, her fans hoped her swansong could have a fairy-tale ending.

But, despite a memorable second-set fightback in a raucous atmosphere, there will be no record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title, with Serena succumbing to a 7-5 6-7 (4) 6-1 loss.

After missing a final forehand, Serena – who played her first professional tennis match back in 1995 – walked to the net before waving to all sides of Arthur Ashe Stadium while Simply The Best played over the loudspeakers.

Addressing the crowd through tears, she said: “Thank you so much, you guys were amazing. I tried. Thank you daddy, I know you’re watching. Thanks mom.

“I just thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side for so many years, literally decades, But it all started with my parents and they deserve everything so I’m really grateful for them. And I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus, so thank you Venus. It’s been a fun ride.”

She had previously revealed she had decided the time was right to step away.

“This week has been really great,” she said later. “Just so much support, so much love. It was really amazing and overwhelming. I am so grateful for it. The whole crowd was really wanting to push me past the line. I’m so thankful and grateful for that.”

She added: “It takes a lot of work to get here. Clearly I’m still capable. It takes a lot more than that. I’m ready to be a mom, explore a different version of Serena. Technically in the world I’m still super young, so I want to have a little bit of a life while I’m still walking.”

Former first lady Michelle Obama led tributes to her friend and her “amazing career,” on social media saying she would go on to “transform lives” with her talents.

Other famous faces including Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson and Tiger Woods also hailed Serena as a “legend forever”.

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Venus Williams Has Perfect Response To Tennis Reporter’s Ridiculous Question

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Venus and Jamie, who wrapped up a second round victory in the tournament’s mixed doubles bracket, were hit with the question during a post-match press conference on Saturday.

The reporter, in a clip shared by BBC Sport, asked if the two were “in it to win it” at the tournament.

“Or is it the first target just to get past the third round where Serena and Andy came a cropper.” the reporter asked.

The question comes after the pair’s success at the Grand Slam tennis tournament over the years. Venus has won five singles titles and six doubles titles at the tournament while Jamie has taken home two mixed doubles titles.

“What kind of question is that,” Venus responded as she turned to Jamie to laugh.

“We’re in it for a stroll. Come on.”

The tennis player later asked the reporter if they were going to “write a good article or just a halfway decent one” about the pair.

You can watch the interaction between the reporter and the tennis players above.

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Emma Raducanu Congratulated By Royalty, World Leaders And Entertainment World Following Stunning US Open Victory

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The Queen has led a wave of tributes to Emma Raducanu following her “remarkable achievement” in winning the US Open.

The British teenager, who arrived in New York last month with a ranking of 150th and just one Grand Slam appearance to her name, beat Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez in straight sets in Saturday’s final.

In a statement, the Queen wrote: “I send my congratulations to you on your success in winning the United States Open Tennis Championships. 

“It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication.  I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players. I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters.”

TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images

Britain’s Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2021 US Open Tennis tournament women’s final match against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.

Following her win, Emma said: “You say, ‘I want to win a Grand Slam.’ But to have the belief I did, and actually executing, winning a Grand Slam,” Emma said, “I can’t believe it.”

Until three months ago, Emma had never played in a professional tour-level event, in part because of the pandemic and her parents’ insistence that she complete her high school degree.

“My dad is definitely very tough to please,” the 18-year-old said with a smile following her victory. “But I managed to today.”

Emma also put a smile on the faces of many famous Brits, who rushed to congratulate her on social media…

Emma is the first female qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final, let alone win one, and is the first woman to win the U.S. Open title without dropping a set since Serena Williams in 2014.

Emma, who was born in Toronto and moved to England with her family at age 2, is also the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles trophy since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.

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Novak Djokovic Disqualified From US Open After Hitting Line Judge With Ball

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