US Open ‘will pay tribute to Serena Williams with farewell ceremony’… and she’s ‘inviting 100 guests’

Whatever the outcome on Monday night, the US Open will hold a farewell ceremony for Serena Williams as she draws the curtain on her glittering career.

Williams plays Danka Kovinic against Arthur Ashe in the evening session, the striking draw on the first day of the US Open.

Williams, 40, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, is expected to retire after her home game, meaning Monday’s game could potentially be her last in singles if she were to lose.

And according to the New York Post, the 23,800 sold-out crowd will watch after her match as American tennis pays tribute to her astonishing career.

The publication adds that Williams will have about 100 guests on hand, consisting of family and friends, to watch her in action.

Williams will start Monday’s game with a 1-3 record since coming into action at Wimbledon earlier this year.

Williams expected to retire from tennis after US Open, which starts Monday

Williams partially steps away to focus on her family – pictured here with her husband Alexis Ohanian, the founder of Reddit, and their daughter Olympia

She was beaten by defending US Open champion Emma Raducanu at the Cincinnati Open earlier in August, but even for Williams now, her bond with Kovinic is a winnable one.

The 27-year-old from Montenegro will face the Williams showdown in a five-game series.

But even if Williams loses on Monday, there’s still another chance to see her on the field as she also competes in doubles alongside her sister, Venus.

And she has, in fact, been coy about the US Open being definitely her last tournament.

Announcing her plans to retire in Vogue in early August, Williams said: “I’ve never liked the word (retirement).

‘It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I see this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive to how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people.

Danka Kovinic will oppose Williams in what could be the American’s last singles match

Williams struggles to shape US Open, recently losing to Emma Raducanu

Williams pictured in action at the 2000 US Open against Nicole Prat at Flushing Meadows

“Perhaps evolution is the best word to describe what I’m up to,” she continued. “I’m here to tell you that I’m moving from tennis to other things that are important to me.”

Not only does Williams want to spend more time with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and their five-year-old Olympia, but she hopes for another child.

“For the past year, Alexis and I have been trying to have another child, and recently we received information from my doctor who reassured me and made me feel that when we are ready, we can expand our family,” Willems wrote. .

‘As an athlete I absolutely do not want to be pregnant again. I have to be two feet in tennis or two feet out.’