Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Serena Williams Returns to US as a Fan

POSTED ON September 1, 2024 •   SPORTS      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Serena Williams (L) watches the match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Christopher O'Connell of Australia, during the third round of the US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 31 August 2024. l Credit: EPA

Serena Williams set Flushing Meadows abuzz on Saturday as the 23-time major winner appeared at the US Open - as a fan - for the first time since stepping away from tennis two years ago.

The six-time winner dominated New York throughout her career and fittingly made an emotional goodbye in Flushing Meadows, when she played her final match against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 tournament.

The tension of competition was gone on Saturday as Williams stepped on to the blue carpet decked out in a denim ensemble, all smiles and at ease as she flashed peace signs and smiled for the cameras.

"I feel like to me she's always been that upbeat and happy person. Obviously we're all in the zone when we're about to compete, and so that's different when you don't play anymore," said Caroline Wozniacki, Williams' longtime friend.

"But at the end of the day, I think she's always been, you know, a happy and outgoing person."

Williams was seen chatting with world number one Iga Swiatek at the players' gym ahead of the Pole's third-round match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, which she won in straight sets.

"Even though we met before and for, like, couple of years we have been on the same sides and on tour together, she's still, like, star-striking me," Swiatek told reporters.

"It was nice that she approach me, because I wouldn't, for sure, find courage to do that if it was the other way."

The American watched Italian number one Jannik Sinner beat Australian Chris O'Connell and American Jessica Pegula get past Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she played her final match.

Wozniacki, who included Williams as a bridesmaid in her wedding, won her third-round meeting with French qualifier Jessica Ponchet at the Grandstand and joked that she was "pretty mad" that Williams was not in attendance for her match as well.

"Serena is obviously still very busy. I think when you've been such incredible at something, I think you'll always have the opportunity, you'll always be great at whatever you put your mind to," said Wozniacki.

"I love hanging with her. I love talking to her. You know, I love the support that I get from her, as well."

READ ALSO
Niger United Secures Third Win; Coach Eyes League Trophy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 11, 2025 0

Niger United's coach, Yekini Adebayo, has shown optimism regarding his team's chances of claiming th...

READ ALSO
Rio Ferdinand Urges Manchester United to Secure Victor Osimhen Amidst Transfer Rumors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has once again advised the club regarding their searc...

READ ALSO
Ex-D’Tigers coach Brown sets goals for new job
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

The former head coach of the Nigerian men's national basketball team, D'Tigers,Mike Brown,has s...

READ ALSO
Real Madrid Edges Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in Thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Clash
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Real Madrid emerged victorious from a heart-stopping 3–2 thriller against Borussia Dortmund in...

READ ALSO
PSG Triumphs over Bayern Munich 2-0, Advances to FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the European club football champion, has defeated Germany's Bayern Munich...

READ ALSO
FG Delivers on Housing Promise to 1994 Super Eagles
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

The Federal Government has at last honored its long-standing commitment to provide housing allocatio...

READ ALSO
Chelsea Advances to Last 16 of Club World Cup with 3-0 Win Over Esperance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

Liam Delap netted his first goal for Chelsea during a 3-0 victory over Tunisian champions Esperance...

READ ALSO
Osimhen Willing to Join Manchester United for Under £200,000 a Week
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Victor Osimhen is reportedly willing to accept a weekly wage of just under £200,000 at Manches...

OUR CHANNELS:

Health Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Controversial Allowance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 19, 2025 0

Medical practitioners in Ekiti and Ondo states have voiced strong opposition to a recent circular is...


Nigeria's Electricity Tariff Subsidy Soars to N1.94 Trillion in 2024, Marking a 219.67% Increase
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 19, 2025 0

The electricity tariff subsidy from the Federal Government has increased significantly from N610 bil...


Tinubu Renamed University of Maiduguri in Honor of Late President Muhammadu Buhari
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri in Borno State to Muh...


Obama’s Debunk Report on Divorce
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 19, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have put to rest rumors regarding their m...


Bayelsa Govt. Cautions Principal Officers on Pension Delay
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Bayelsa State Government has cautioned principal officers of local government councils to avoid...


NLC Decries Nigeria's Poor Labor Rights Record as National Disgrace
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its worries about the nation's inadequate performanc...


Israeli Strike Hits Catholic Church in Gaza, Killing Two Civilians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 20, 2025 0

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church resulted in the deaths of two individuals on Thu...


SSC Napoli Completes €25 Million Deal for Noa Lang from PSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 19, 2025 0

Serie A champions Napoli confirmed on Thursday that they have signed Dutch forward Noa Lang from PSV...


Civil Defence Board Temporarily Closes Recruitment Portal for System Enhancements
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 20, 2025 0

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has temporarily closed its recr...


Nigeria Should Aim for 60,000 Megawatts of Power Generation- Dangote
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 19, 2025 0

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, argues that Nigeria's low electricity generati...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu