Serena Williams is playing her last tournament before retiring from the sport. Just a few weeks after announcing her retirement from tennis, Serena started her final US Open campaign on Monday. As tributes roll in from all around the world, basketball icon and Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James came up with a unique tribute to America’s favorite tennis player.
After making her comeback to the tour earlier this year, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is now ready for the next phase of her life. The legendary American tennis star started her last US Open against Montenegrin Danka Kovinic in the opening round of the women’s singles match in Flushing Meadows.
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LeBron James’ emotional tribute to Serena Williams
The Lakers legend applauded Serena Williams in a video tribute, showing his appreciation for all she has accomplished. King James and Serena share a great bond as friends and have always stood by each other. Even the basketball champion also watched Serena’s first round in the US Open and encouraged her both from the stands and on Twitter.
A legendary career that served as an inspiration to the world.@kingjames toasts @serenawilliams ahead of the 🐐’s final @usopen matches. #ThankYouSerena pic.twitter.com/0bRLhEsd1k
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) August 29, 2022
In the tribute video shared on Twitter. He said, “Congratulations to you, to an unbelievable career, you are a GOAT. I mean, what you have done for sport, tennis, what you have done for women and what you have done for the category of sports period it’s unprecedented. And it’s been an honor to watch your journey, to watch you conquer all the goals that you ever set out, to see you break records, to see you just be amazing and transcended not only on the tennis court but also off…”
Further, he thanked Serena for being the greatest. He added, “I don’t want to bore you about stuff that you already know. So, I want to thank you for being this inspiration for so many and never putting yourself out there when you didn’t feel like you were the greatest, and showing the world that every time you were out there you were the greatest win-lose, or draw didn’t matter. We all knew that she was the greatest.”
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Serena is gearing up for the second round
Serena was not in excellent form prior to her last Grand Slam. She defied everyone’s predictions that her first match would be the last of her career. The 40-year-old began her journey with a strong straight-set victory in Flushing Meadows.
Watch this story –Venus Williams once chuckled at how mother Oracene was cruel with her and Serena Williams
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The 6-time US Open champion moved to the second round of the competition by defeating Danka Kovinic, 6-3 6-3. In the following round, she will compete against Estonian Anett Kontaveit. Serena will also play doubles alongside sister Venus at the US Open.
It would be interesting to see if she can advance further in the tournament. Can Serena achieve the unimaginable and win her 24th Grand Slam championship? Please let us know in the comments section below.