If the US Open has always been about drama, it is also about emotion. In 2022, Serena Williams played what would become the final tournament of her legendary career.
Arthur Ashe Stadium became the perfect stage for her farewell. Serena defeated second seed Anett Kontaveit in an extraordinary upset and then played the final three singles matches of her career in front of an emotional New York crowd.
She ultimately lost to Ajla Tomljanović in the third round, but the result seemed almost irrelevant.The images of Serena walking onto the court, competing one last time and receiving the enormous affection of Arthur Ashe Stadium became one of the defining moments in US Open history.
The six-time US Open champion left the tournament without another trophy—but with the recognition of a champion who had transformed tennis forever.