Serena Williams explains ‘hard decision’ to retire after emotional US Open first-round win

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Serena Williams thanked a “crazy crowd” after an emotional first round victory at the US Open. The 23-time Grand Slam winner announced three weeks ago that she will be “evolving away” from tennis after a 25-year career.

After beating world No.80 Danka Kovinic 6-3 6-3, fellow legend Billie Jean King paid tribute to her in the Arthur Ashe Stadium while there was a video montage narrated by Oprah Winfrey.

And the capacity crowd held up blue and white cards with the words: We Love You Serena.

It was all planned in case the American superstar lost but she will return play No.2 seed Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday night. She will be guaranteed more amazing support in her swansong.

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And Williams, who turns 41 next month, said: “I felt the crowd. The crowd was crazy. They really helped pull me through. I was really pumped. I was like: ‘I got this’.”

World No.605 Williams added: “It has been such a hard decision. It was a very hard decisions because when you are passionate about something and love something very much, it is always hard to walk away. I still love this game. I love this game also because it keeps me fit.

“I thought now is the time. I have a family. It is Serena 2.0”

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She becomes only the fourth woman in the Open Era to win matches as a teenager, in her 20s, 30s and 40s along with Martina Navratilova, Venus Williams and Kimiko Date.

“You never give up,” said Williams. “It seems a cliche but I wanted people to be inspired by my story. I am from Compton, California and I made it.”

Williams, who was wearing a sparkly black top, said: “My outfit had six layers to represent my six titles here. But I took four out because it was too big.”

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