Venus Williams bows out in first round of women’s singles at US Open, after losing to top seed Maria Sharapova
1. Venus Williams
Venus Williams announced her retirement at the end of a year in which she won only 11 matches in total. This was the longest she had gone since her career-best year in 2008, when she won 24 matches and reached the finals of two major championships.
Williams said:
As a fan I have been very happy with how my year has gone, and as someone that has a lot invested in tennis, especially when a player is that good, my heart will always go out to her. I truly believe that she has a great career ahead of her and I know that it will go very well for her. I am very proud of her, but I have to end it on such a positive note.
2. Maria Sharapova
The 20-time Grand Slam winner announced her retirement the day after her 21st birthday, at 18 years old. It was the first time in her career that a player had played the Open era only once. This was also the last time she will be allowed to compete in a tournament longer than the Grand Slam level, while women’s professional tennis will only move on to the ATP World Tour next year.
Sharapova said:
I am sorry for all the fans and my fellow tennis players. I have had a great career, but it is time to close my career on a positive note. I hope it will be a good one and I want to thank all my fans in America and in other places for all the support and for all the messages. I am glad that I will see them later, but I have no doubts about my future career. I will dedicate my career to my family and to tennis.
3. Serena Williams
The eight-time Grand Slam winner announced her retirement in May after 22 years at the top of the sport, after she lost in the US Open final. Since her first appearance at Wimbledon in 1996, Serena has been runner-up there eight times, winning the titles in 2002 and 2008, and also in 2002 at the Australian Open. The American tennis has lost one of the three finals she has played after Wimbledon.
Serena Williams said:
Thank you to the fans, to all the players and the fans in the world. I