Loses third round to Australia’s 7-5, 6-7, (4), 6-1 before more than 24,000 spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

By Dwight Casimere

Serena Williams’ loss Friday night marks an end to a storied career spanning more than 20 years.

“This week has been so great,” Williams told reporters in Interview Room 1 in the bowels of Arthur Ashe Stadium after the match. “I’m so thankful and grateful. I’ve been down before and I’ve come back. I’ve never given up. I keep on fighting. What I’ll remember about this experience is that my level was starting to come back and that I was somehow improving even at my age. That’s a really good memory for me.”

Serena at times showed a glimmer of her old competitive self, holding off Tomljanovic’s match points in heroic fashion, only to watch it all end in defeat after more than three hours, the longest match ever played by the six-time champion at the US Open.

“I feel like I brought something to tennis,” Serena concluded the news conference. “I brought a different look to this crazy intensity, this passion, if that’s a good word. I just continued through all the ups and downs. I could go on an on, but I’m just grateful for this moment.”

Her farewell to the game was tearful, but she described them as ‘happy tears.’

“Tennis has been such a huge part of my life. It’s provided me with so many opportunities and its provided opportunities for so many other people through me. I have no idea what I’ll do next, but I’m sure I’ll be involved in somewhat.

A record attendance of 72,039 people passed through the gates of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the largest crowd at any tennis event ever. Such is the Power and the Glory of the greatest tennis player of all time!