For the first time in the history of the New York Major, the climax of this 138th edition will probably not be the finals, but a first round match. Because it could well be the last disputed by the immense champion, who has become an icon well beyond the courts, on Monday against the Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (80th).
The 40-year-old American announced in early August that the “countdown” to her retirement had begun, admittedly without specifying when or where she would bow out.
Without waiting, the New York public snatched places for the US Open, the first three evenings being sold out. Tickets that resell at a high price, their value having increased by 34% on dedicated sites.
“There comes a time in life when we have to decide to go in a different direction. This moment is always difficult when you love something so much,” she told Vogue magazine in August, promising to “savor these few weeks to come. “.
Did she succeed, by hitting her last few balls? Not sure.
– “The fantasy of the fans” –
Six weeks after her missed comeback at Wimbledon, where France’s Harmony Tan ruined her comeback after almost a year’s absence, Williams was knocked out in the second round in Toronto by Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. Ditto from his entry into the running in Cincinnati, swept away by the Briton Emma Raducanu, defending champion at the US Open.
If she could not hold back a few tears of emotion to say goodbye to Canada, Serena left Ohio without a word. Because even if the harsh reality imposes itself, she will never get used to the idea of losing.
Serena knows that she has little chance of winning a 24th Major, which would finally equal this record of Margaret Court after which she has been chasing since 2017 and her victory at the Australian Open, then pregnant with her daughter Olympia.
“It’s the fantasy of the fans. I understand that,” she agreed. But finishing where it all began in 1999, when she offered herself her first Grand Slam at the age of 17, and if possible with dignity, that is her ultimate challenge.
As such, the emotion therefore promises to be at its height on Monday at Flushing Meadows, where she was so often “Serenissime”, evidenced by her six coronations, to which are added seven at the Australian Open, seven at Wimbledon and three at Roland-Garros.
The world N.1 Iga Swiatek, favorite on paper, will be under another form of pressure.
The Polish, unplayable in the spring (37 victories and six titles in a row, including Roland-Garros) lost its luster this summer, complaining in particular of the balls in Toronto and Cincinnati, which will be used at the US Open.
– Final Nadal-Medvedev? –
On the men’s side, in the absence of Novak Djokovic, prevented from entering the United States because he was not vaccinated, Alexander Zverev, who is treating an ankle, and Roger Federer, whose return is scheduled for September, a duel in the final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev looms.
The Spaniard, winner at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, can increase his Grand Slam record to 23, to widen the gap with “Djoko” (21 since his triumph at Wimbledon). But a full-bodied program awaits him with possibly the Russian Aslan Karatsev, the Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, the Briton Cameron Norrie and his compatriot, the phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.
The Russian will try to keep his title and his place of world N.1. And on his way, the rivals will not be lacking either, with a possible 8th against the volcanic Australian Nick Kyrgios, before a possible half against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has just beaten him at “Cincy”.
The sporting stakes are always high at the US Open. But, as Bruce Springsteen sings, nothing seems to be more thrilling than a “New York City Serenade.” Even if “Queen Williams” assured him: “I’m not looking for a ceremony, or a final moment on the court. I suck at farewells, the worst in the world”.
