As Serena Williams closed out likely the final chapter in her career at the US Open on Friday night in New York, celebrities and fans took to social media to express their support and admiration for the tennis icon.
Hopes were high in Arthur Ashe Stadium after Williams, 40, dominated early in the first two sets, but her opponent, Ajla Tomljanović of Australia, reeled her back in each time. Tomljanović won the first set 7-5, and Williams eked out a tiebreak win in the second, but couldn’t overcome the Aussie in the third, losing 6-1.
In awe of the performance from the 23-time Grand Slam champion, public figures including Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Tiger Woods, Michelle Obama, and more honored Williams during and after the match that marked the likely end of an era.
“Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams!,” the former First Lady wrote Friday. “How lucky were we