A-List Crowd Supports Serena Williams
The US Open became a venue for A-list stars like Anna Wintour and Tiger Woods to watch some tennis and support Serena Williams.
The star-studded crowd watched in anticipation as Serena played in her second-round match against Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit. And the game favored Williams as she took the first set 7-6.
Kontaveit was not an easy opponent, though, and claimed victory in the second set, 2-6. Serena gave it her all in the decisive final round and won 6-2, moving her to the final round.
Tiger Woods was seen enjoying the game from the stands with his girlfriend, Erica Herman. Serena’s sister, Venus, later joined the couple at Flushing Meadows’ famous Arthur Ashe court. Venus is set to begin the women’s double play with Serena tomorrow.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour was also in attendance. She is a tennis enthusiast and was present during Serena’s first matches. Film director Spike Lee made his second appearance, given that he was also there during William’s first tournament.
Spiderman actress Zendaya was spotted in the Flushing Meadows stands. Model sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid. Vera Wang, Hugh Jackman, Mike Tyson, Bill Clinton, Huma Abedin, Anthony Anderson, Spike Lee, Lindsey Vonn, Rebel Wilson, and New York Mets Shortstop Francisco Lindor were also seen watching the game.
Among all the celebrities and models, Serena’s most important supporter, her husband Alexis Ohanian, was seen cheering for the athlete and other family members. Although their daughter Olympia was not in the crowds, the day was all in favor of Serena.
Serena announced her intention to move away from tennis after this year’s US Open. And so far, Serena is starting strong and keeping her tennis legacy golden. She breezed through her first match against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic, last Monday in Queens with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
The second tournament against Kontaveit challenged Williams. She was not at her best with double faults, missed strokes, and wasted winning opportunities. But she was able to pick up her pace and probably remind herself that the match was among the very few she’d be playing before retiring from the sport.
The champion with 23 Grand Slam titles under her name did not fail to deliver. Serena, a month away from turning 41 years old, claimed every swing and stroke and won the match.
The end of the match was a well-orchestrated game of pure skill and determination from both players, but Serena capped it off with a service winner, which she accompanied with a clenched fist, crying out, “Come on!”
With 23,000 tennis fans all on edge, the game ended with a raucous standing ovation, and Serena emerged victorious after 1 hour and 40 minutes.
