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By Aidan Dobrosielski, Sports Editor
Image Courtesy of NY Times
It was quite a year for the tennis world. Two of the greatest players decided to “evolve” from the sport, ending their historic careers. 43 combined Grand Slam Singles Titles. Four Olympic Gold Medals. 52 combined years in the ATP and WTA. And two huge hearts. Their journeys inspire athletes around the world to strive for greatness.
Serena Williams and Roger Federer, known as two of the greatest athletes of all time, decided to finish their careers in style. Before the 2022 US Open, Williams announced to the media that, after the Grand Slam tournament, she would “evolve” from the sport, in hopes of growing her capital venture firms and spending more time with her family (specifically, her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., and her husband, Alexis Ohanian). Roger Federer, who has dealt with numerous injuries over the past few years, decided that he would retire after the Laver Cup in London. They both not only left with great performances, but also with lasting legacies that no sports fan will ever forget. GOATS.
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Serena Williams says goodbye to the US Open crowd
Image Courtesy of WSG
Serena wins her first Grand Slam Title at the US Open in 1999
Going into the US Open, Serena was indeed a crowd-favorite, drawing the attention of fans around the world, but most people didn’t think she would win the tournament, or even her First Round match. She hadn’t won a Grand Slam Title since the 2017 Australian Open, and had dealt with injuries and family business over the last few years. Yet, she went into her last matches with the same confidence she possessed as a 14-year old phenom, storming onto the professional field with the strength and finesse of a veteran player. Serena Williams won her first two matches in Arthur Ashe Stadium, against Danka Kovinic and Anett Kontaveit (#2 seed), proving to the world that she was still dominant. Her opening night match attendance on Monday, August 29th, broke the record for any night match in New York, with 29,402 spectators present in the stadium. Unfortunately she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the 3rd Round, but she still put together three epic performances. On September 1st, she played with her sister, Venus, in doubles, and put on an amazing show on the biggest stage in tennis.
Serena’s career lasted 27 years. She turned pro in 1995 when she was 14. Growing up in Compton, Serena and Venus’s father, Richard Williams, coached them and protected them from harm. Eventually, at the age of 11, she moved to Florida to pursue tennis at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy. Never did anyone expect that she would not only become one of the greatest women’s athletes of all time, but a prominent activist for change. She has won 23 Grand Slams, most in the Open Era, as well as 3 doubles Olympic Gold Medals with her sister and 1 singles Olympic gold medal. Her career is one that no one will ever forget.
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Nadal after doubles match at the 2022 Laver Cup
Image Courtesy of Tennis World USA
Federer winning his first match ATP match
Roger Federer also had a long, successful career, lasting for 2 ½ decades. He has been #1 in the year multiple times in his career and won 20 Grand Slams, the most of any male player until Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic surpassed him. Unfortunately, due to a knee injury he suffered a year ago at the Wimbledon Championships, his return to tennis’s major stage had been delayed. In order to ensure his body stayed healthy, on September 15, 2022, he posted on his Instagram page that it was best for him to end his competitive career at the age of 41.
Before his retirement, he participated in the Laver Cup in London for Team Europe. On Friday, September 23rd, he played his last match with Rafeal Nadal, his great rival and close friend, against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. Despite losing (4-6, 7-6(2), and 11-9), the two greats put on a show the tennis world will always remember. This match was special to both players because of their history as singles players. They have played 40 times, 24 of those times in ATP title finals. Throughout his career, Roger Federer’s crisp strokes and finesse brought him a lot of success.
Federer started playing tennis in Switzerland when he was 8 years old. He got familiar with the sport by joining ball-boy programs for local tournaments; now, he is known as one of the greatest players of all time. You can’t teach greatness, you either have it or you don’t. And Roger Federer has it, making his goodbye even more emotional.
Image Courtesy of NBC Sports
The lives of Serena Williams and Roger Federer have revolutionized the game of tennis and impacted sports fans around the globe. These athletes prove that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Farewell, GOATS. We will never forget your legacies.
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