United States Open | Serena Williams awaited by the New York public

(New York) At the end of an exceptional 27-year career, punctuated by 23 Grand Slam titles, Serena Williams, who has become one of the greatest players in the history of tennis, is preparing to bow out at the Internationals of the United States, the scene of his first exploits.

For the first time in the history of the New York Major, the paroxysm of this 138^e edition will probably not constitute the finals, but a match of the first round. Because it could well be the last contested by the immense champion, who has become an icon well beyond the courts, on Monday against the Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (80^e).

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 United States 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 take another direction. This moment is always difficult when you love something so much, ”she told the magazine. vogue in August, promising to “savor these few weeks ahead”.

Did she succeed, by hitting her last few balls? Not sure.

“The fan fantasy”

Six weeks after her failed return to Wimbledon, where the French Harmony Tan spoiled her return after almost a year of absence, Williams was released at 2^e tour in Toronto, by the Swiss Belinda Bencic. Ditto from his entry into the running in Cincinnati, swept away by the Briton Emma Raducanu, defending champion at the United States 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 she has little chance of winning a 24^e 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 it was so often “Serenissime”, evidenced by its 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 United States Open.

Nadal-Medvedev final?

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 as world No.1. And on his way there will be no shortage of rivals either, with an 8^e possible against the volcanic Australian Nick Kyrgios, before a possible half against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has just beaten him in “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 am not looking for a ceremony, or a final moment on the court. I suck at goodbyes, the worst in the world”.