Sports

Photos show Serena Williams receiving incredible, record-breaking support from a US Open crowd 30,000 strong

By Meredith Cash and Taiyler S. Mitchell
Serena Williams of the United States reacts after winning the second set against Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia
Serena Williams of the United States reacts after winning the second set against Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia Elsa/Getty Images
Read in app

NEW YORK — Tennis legend Serena Williams was adorned by an enormous crowd bidding her farewell during the 2022 US Open.

The 40-year-old wrapped up what is likely the last tennis tournament of her illustrious career Friday night, playing under the bright lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows in front of a crowd nearly 30,000 strong. And while she did not win the tournament, the 23-time Grand Slam champion put up a formidable fight and received a fairytale ending perfectly fitting for the Queen of Queens.

Insider has compiled photos showcasing the astounding amount of love Williams received on her way out of the sport. Check them out below.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion played at Arthur Ashe Stadium — the world's largest tennis arena with a capacity of 23,771 audience members.

A general view as Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot against Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia during their Women's Singles Third Round match on Day Five of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 02, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
A general view as Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot against Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia during their Women's Singles Third Round match on Day Five of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 02, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Julian Finney/Getty Images

Source: WNBC

The crowd at Ashe for Williams' opening-round match Monday night surprised the superstar with a loving message.

People hold up signs reading "We love you Serena" during a ceremony following the 2022 US Open Tennis tournament women's singles first round match between US player Serena Williams and Montenegro's Danka Kovinic at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, on August 29, 2022. - Serena Williams was set to take center stage as the US Open got under way on August 29, 2022 with the 23-time Grand Slam winner preparing to bid an emotional farewell to tennis.
Serena Williams felt the love at Flushing Meadows on Monday. Getty/Timothy Clary

The audience lifted blue and white cards that spelled out "We Love Serena" after her Monday victory against Danka Kovinić.

Williams responded with a heartfelt "I love you too."

Source: Insider

Ticket prices skyrocketed as the multi-day Open went on, costing as much as $48,000.

Serena Williams of the United States is introduced prior to her Women's Singles Third Round match against Ajla Tomlijanovic.
Serena Williams is introduced prior to her Women's Singles Third Round match against Ajla Tomlijanovic. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Source: New York Post

Still, the last two singles matches had record-breaking attendance with nearly 30,000 audience members.

Source: Insider

Those who didn't have tickets for a seat inside Arthur Ashe still supported the 40-year-old athlete from outside the stadium.

People gathered outside of the Arthur Ashe Stadium watching what was likely Serena Williams last tennis tournament on Friday, September 2nd, 2022.
People gathered outside of the Arthur Ashe Stadium watching what was likely Serena Williams last tennis tournament on Friday, September 2nd, 2022. Courtney DiGia

"Very cool to hear the crowd in the big points," an onlooker named Courtney DiGia told Insider. "Even though I couldn't be inside, it was special to experience the energy of the crowd and be there for Serena's goodbye."

The noise from the crowd was enough to intimidate other players and could be heard at other nearby courts.

Serena Williams of the United States reacts in the second set against Ajla Tomlijanovic.
Serena Williams of the United States reacts in the second set against Ajla Tomlijanovic. Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Source: Insider

Athletes, movie stars, and former presidents were in the crowd rooting for Williams.

Serena Williams' team box erupts including husband Alexis Ohanian, coach Rennae Stubbs, sister Venus Williams and golfer Tiger Woods as she wins the first set against Anett Kontaveit of Estonia on Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Women's Singles second round match during the US Open Tennis Championship 2022 at the USTA National Tennis Centre.
Serena Williams has had plenty of support at the US Open. Getty/Tim Clayton

Williams' box included her husband Alexis Ohanian, coach Rennae Stubbs, sister Venus Williams, and golfer Tiger Woods.

Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue, actress Zendaya, and former President Bill Clinton were among some of the other big names present at the tournament. 

Source: Insider, Insider

Despite staging an improbable run to the third round of the Grand Slam, Williams lost her star lost during her match to Ajla Tomljanović on Friday — almost certainly ending her tennis career.

Serena Williams of the United States thanks the fans after being defeated by Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia during their Women's Singles Third Round match on Day Five of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 02, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Serena Williams thanked fans after being defeated by Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia during their Women's Singles Third Round match. Al Bello/Getty Images

Source: Insider

In a press conference after the match, Williams said: "I'm ready to be a mom and explore a different version of Serena."

Read next

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Meredith Cash
Meredith Cash
Meredith Cash was a sports reporter for Business Insider covering all games played on a field, court, rink, diamond, or gridiron with a specific focus on women's sports.A Knicks fan who grew up north of New York City, Meredith has moved on to greener pastures as one of the Cameron Crazies — and yes, she did live in a tent to get tickets. She graduated from Duke University in 2018 and continues to hope for the best but expect the worst from her New York sports teams.Send Meredith tips and follow her on X: @mercash22.
Taiyler Simone Mitchell
Taiyler S. Mitchell
At Insider, Taiyler wrote about a wide range of topics — including politics, entertainment, sex work, homelessness, policing, death row, and prisons. She also had a hand in breaking news, reporting on elections, covering multiple high-profile trials, and producing thought-provoking pieces about overseas issues — including interviewing sources who were inside the embattled countries of Afghanistan and Ukraine. Taiyler's coverage of the death penalty has been cited by The Death Penalty Information Center. Her reporting has also been referenced in multiple books such as "Reject Self-Serving Power: Helping Others Be Successful and Finding Selflessness in Business, Politics, and Life" by James Michael Matthew and "TikTok Cultures in the United States" by Trevor Boffone.In addition, Taiyler has appeared on LX News, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, to discuss her reporting on the heavy presence of cultural appropriation on TikTok.Featured stories:First, Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion. But even more violence came in the years after, with a cascade of threats, vitriol, and textbook 'misogynoir' harassmentTo sex workers, navigating the world without medical access to abortions or reproductive care is nothing new. But the overturning of Roe V. Wade puts their livelihoods further at risk.Teyana Taylor tells us what it means to be the first Black woman Maxim named 'Sexiest Woman Alive'Takeoff's untimely death in November sheds light on the music industry's role in the unfortunate trend of Black men dying youngInmates across Alabama's notoriously macabre prisons are on strike: 'I'm just a slave'Lethal injection is supposed to be a 'peaceful' way to execute death row inmates, but experts say it violates the US ConstitutionTexas halts execution of Melissa Lucio as her attorneys say there is a broader issue of false confessions among womenEx-cult member Ginni Thomas may have fallen back into old habits with QAnon-backed conspiracy theoriesVanessa Bryant's lawsuit showed that 'death books' are still a disturbing custom in law enforcement
HOME Subscribe