'Congratulations on an amazing career' - Celebrities and sports fraternity congratulates Serena Williams as she plays her last Tennis game

Tennis legend Serena Williams has finally played her last competitive game as she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the US Open. In the game that lasted over three hours, Williams lost by 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1. The legendary player had already announced her retirement from the sport on Vogue. She cited wanting to spend more time with her family and wanting to have another child as the reason.

Talking about her career, she made her debut at the highest level way back in 1995 at the age of 14. From 1995 to 2022, she has 23 major titles in the Open Era and is only behind Margaret Court (24) for the most ever. Apart from this, she has 73 career singles titles, 16 major doubles and mixed doubles titles, 4 Olympic gold medals, and was 319 weeks at No. 1.

Williams also has the most hard-court major titles (13) by any player and the most Grand Slam victories (367) by a woman. She is tied with Chris Evert for the most US Open singles titles (6) in the Open Era. Williams is one of four tennis players in the Open Era to record singles titles in four different decades. At 35, she became the oldest woman to win a major and hold the No. 1 ranking.

Apart from the on-court achievements, she also raised her voice for equal prize money for women alongside her sister, Venus.

These are happy tears: Serena Williams

After the game, the 40-year-old gave out an emotional speech. She thanked her parents and her sister for her entire journey.

"Thank you daddy, I know you're watching. Thanks mom," Williams said before starting to cry during her postmatch on-court interview with ESPN's Mary Joe Fernandez. "Everyone that's here, that's been on my side, for so many years, decades ...

"These are happy tears, I guess. I don't know. And I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't Venus, so thank you Venus. She's the only reason Serena Williams ever existed ... It's been a fun ride. It's been the most incredible ride and journey I've ever been on."

This is how Twitter reacted

.@serenawilliams you’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 3, 2022

Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams!

How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.

I'm proud of you, my friend—and I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents. pic.twitter.com/VWONEMAwz3

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 3, 2022

.@KingJames giving the QUEEN @serenawilliams all her 💐 💐 💐

(via @uninterrupted)pic.twitter.com/Z9gdO7w7Cf

— ESPN (@espn) September 3, 2022

Congratulations, Serena for an inspiring career! Cookie & I are so excited for you. I remember when we talked about you becoming an entrepreneur. Now, I look forward to watching you grow in business! @serenawilliams #Serena

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 3, 2022

Asked @Ajlatom about how she’s likely to be the answer on many a trivia night when the question is “Who was the last player to defeat Serena?”

“Well, no one is going to pronounce my name right, so that’s going to suck!” 😂 #usopen

— David Kane (@DKTNNS) September 3, 2022

I love you @serenawilliams It’s been the pleasure of a lifetime to watch you become what you have. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you my old friend

— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 3, 2022

From Compton to champion.

From 0 to 23.

From improbability to immortality.#ThankYouSerena 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6gZQNASYX4

— wta (@WTA) September 3, 2022

What. A. Career. Simply the greatest of all time! Congrats for an outstanding career @serenawilliams It was a privilege to compete against you. You’ve pushed all of us to become a better player!

All the best Serena pic.twitter.com/nIS03vRwnc

— Sabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki) September 3, 2022

With Serena Williams now retired, the active WTA player with the most Grand Slam titles is now…

…Venus Williams

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 3, 2022

So proud of this young woman. Teaching us all to fight to the end. That our reserves are deeper than we think. That we exit on our own terms leaving a standard of excellence. An astonishing champion. #SerenaWilliams

⁦@usopen⁩ pic.twitter.com/teCs2CMvSA

— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) September 3, 2022

Baby jumping on the couch shouting “SERENA!!!!!” #SerenaWilliams #USOpen2022 pic.twitter.com/Wo0FbwRq7s

— Lesley-Ann Brandt (@LesleyAnnBrandt) September 2, 2022