The 23-time Grand Slam winner – who hinted earlier this month that she plans to retire from tennis after the tournament – has put all of her experience on her way to defeat Montenegrin rival Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3. defeated.
A galaxy of celebrities ranging from Hollywood stars, fashion icons and former presidents could be Williams’ final appearance in a Grand Slam singles match at Flushing Meadows’ Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But the 40-year-old ensured that his fans would have at least one more chance to taste his talent as he won despite his flawed performance.
“I feel very comfortable on this court and here in front of everyone,” a
Williams said after his win.
“The crowd was crazy — they really helped pull me in. I was really pumped,” said Williams, who won her first Grand Slam title in 1999 in the same field as a 17-year-old prodigy.
Williams admitted that the decision to walk away from the sport after 27 years as a professional was “such a difficult decision.”
“I think when you’re passionate about something it’s always hard to walk away from it,” she said. “I’m trying to decide what to do. I love this sport.
“But I was like ‘Okay, I guess it’s time.’ I have a family, there are other chapters in life. I call it growth.”
Williams later declined to be certain about her retirement, though asked if the US Open would be her last tournament, teasing the possibility that she might still play.
“I’ve been very vague about it, haven’t I?” he said. “I’m going to remain unclear because you never know.”
A sellout crowd of 23,500 roared their praises for Williams as she walked into the arena wearing a dainty glitter bodice and six-layer black skirt – one for each US Open title she has won.
A-listers’ roll-call for the occasion included former US President Bill Clinton, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, tennis legends and Hollywood stars such as Hugh Jackman and Queen Latifah.
Williams acknowledged that leaving the spotlight – whenever it happens – would be a wrench.
“The more tournaments I play, the more I feel like I can be out there,” she said. “It’s a hard feeling, the more you do it, the more you can shine.”
Tsitsipas was stunned
In the other women’s draw on Monday, former world number one Simona Halep, seeded seventh, had her biggest first-round crash, losing 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 to qualifier Daria Snigur of Ukraine.
But that wasn’t a problem for American teenager and 12th seed Coco Gauff, who defeated France’s Léolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-3.
Meanwhile, the men’s draw began with an upset for fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, who was beaten 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 by Colombian qualifier Daniel Ilahi Galan.
Earlier, defending champion Daniil Medvedev of Russia defeated Stepan Koslov of the United States in the top half of the draw.
Russia comfortably beat world No. 111 Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in 2 hours and 1 minute.
Medvedev, trying to become the first man to defend the American crown since Roger Federer retained the title in 2008, will face France’s Arthur Rinderknecht in the second round.
Britain’s Andy Murray, another veteran at the end of his career, marked the 10th anniversary of his first Grand Slam win with a straight sets defeat to Argentina’s 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo.
The 35-year-old Scott showed no signs of cramp problems recently in a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win but later admitted: “It felt like five sets.”
It was Murray’s first straight set win at a Grand Slam event since 2017.
Elsewhere on Monday, Wu Yibing claimed a piece of history in the men’s draw, becoming the first man from China to win a Grand Slam singles match since 1959.
The qualifier defeated 31st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.
But the men’s draw was in pain for other China player, Zhang Zhizhen, who lost seven match points in 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (11/9), 6-1, 6- . 4 defeats to Tim Van Rijthoven of Netherlands.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal will start his campaign against Australia’s Rinki Hijikata on Tuesday while chasing a fifth US Open title and 23rd Grand Slam title overall.
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