Thank you Serena Williams: Tennis legend retires after losing to Aijla Tomljanovic in career's last match in US Open 2022, fans react

Tennis legend Serena Williams bowed out of US Open 2022 in what could be her last match on a court. She lost 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 to Ajla Tomljanovic in Round 3 of Women's singles on Friday. The tennis star had announced that this will be her last singles outing in the US Open and that she is retiring from the sport. She broke into tears as she waved the home crowd after her loss in what was her swansong match. 

Check out the reactions as Serena bid adieu to the sport. 

Simply the _. Unique.
Thank you @serenawilliams
We love you _#USOpen2022 #Serena — Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 3, 2022

Words cannot describe what #Serena has meant to us all. pic.twitter.com/a4YvBgNhOL — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022

96 career titles.
39 Grand Slams.
319 weeks as World No. 1.
$94M in career prize money.

Activism.
Business ventures.

The highest-earning female athlete ever.

A career over, but a legend forever: Serena Williams. pic.twitter.com/UmzVGTbc8p

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 3, 2022

What a ride it's been.

Thank you, @serenawilliams _ pic.twitter.com/OEURHryJxV — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022

One final wave _ pic.twitter.com/HivoQiMDdT — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022

Words cannot describe what #Serena has meant to us all. pic.twitter.com/a4YvBgNhOL — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022

Serena retires after having won 92 matches in Australian Open, 69 in French Open, 98 at the prestigious Wimbledon and 108 wins at her home Grand Slam US Open. She has won a record total of 23 Grand Slam titles. 

The legend broke down whole speaking after the match. She said, "Oh my god! Thank you so much. You guys were amazing today. Thank you daddy, I know you are watching. Thanks mom. It all started with my parents and I am very grateful for them. These are happy tears. I would not be Serena if there was no Venus."

"It's been the most incredible ride and journey I've ever been on in my life," Williams said, tears streaming down her cheeks shortly after one final shot of hers landed in the net.
"I'm so grateful to every single person that's ever said, Go, Serena!' in their life."

She turns 41 this month and recently told the world that she is ready to start 'evolving' away from her playing days. She expressed distaste for the word 'retirement' and while she remained purposely vague about whether this appearance at Flushing Meadows definitely would represent her last hurrah, everyone assumed it will be.

Asked during an on-court interview whether she might reconsider walking away, Williams replied: "I don't think so, but you never know."

With two victories in singles this week, including over the No. 2 player in the world, Anett Kontaveit, on Wednesday, Williams took her fans on a thrill-a-minute throwback trip at the hard-court tournament that was the site of a half-dozen of her championships.

With PTI inputs