Serena Williams Has Played Her Final Tennis Match

Serena Williams's tennis career likely ended tonight, in a three set defeat to Ajla Tomljanović, who is currently ranked no. 46 in the world. Williams announced earlier in August that this U.S. Open would be her goodbye to the sport, though there's always the possibility the superstar could un-retire.

As the match ended, with Tomljanović winning 7-6, 6-7, 6-1, "Simply the Best" by Tina Turner started playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Williams waved to the crowd, and gave her signature twirl.

"Oh my god, thank you so much, you guys were amazing today," she said to the crowd as she began to cry. "Thank you, Daddy, I know you're watching. Thanks, Mom. Thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side—so many years, literally decades. But it all started with my parents, and they deserve everything. So I'm really grateful for them."

"These are happy tears," she continued. "And I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't Venus. So, thank you Venus. She's the only reason Serena Williams ever existed."

As part of her goodbye, she played doubles with her sister Venus Williams. They lost yesterday evening—and Venus is out of the singles tournament, too, losing her first round match in straight sets to Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck.

Williams, who is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players ever, struggled with her decision to retire, telling Meghan Markle, "I've been doing this since I was—since I can remember. And I'm 40 years old now, so it's like my whole entire being and my whole entire life has been for one purpose. So to kind of not do that anymore, it's exciting, right? I'm really looking forward to it."

Williams made her professional debut in 1995, soon after she turned 14. She won her first U.S. Open in 1999—she would go on to win the New York tournament five more times—and racked up 23 Grand Slam titles during her career. Her pursuit for a 24th Slam, to tie Margaret Court's record, has been the dominate narrative of her past few years on tour.

Famous faces in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch Williams's final tournament have included her husband Alexis Ohanian; her daughter, Olympia; Tiger Woods, who Williams wrote in Vogue encouraged her to get back on the court this past spring; and more.

"I'm just so grateful to every single person who has ever said 'Go Serena' in their life. I mean, you got me here," she said.

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