Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, made a nostalgic return to the US Open on Saturday, her first visit to Flushing Meadows since she last competed there in 2022.
This time, however, Williams was not wielding a racket but instead watching from the stands, bringing back memories of her iconic moments on the court.
Sporting a denim skirt reminiscent of the one she famously wore during the 2004 US Open, Williams was seen in a suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium as she watched the No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner secure a straight-sets victory in the third round against Christopher O’Connell.
The 42-year-old tennis legend, who announced she was “evolving” away from professional tennis following her third-round exit in 2022, has remained busy off the court.
Since then, Williams has pursued various business ventures, signed a book deal, released a documentary series on ESPN, and even hosted the ESPYS in July. Additionally, she welcomed her second daughter last year, adding another chapter to her storied life.
During her visit to the US Open, Williams made her way around the grounds, catching American Tommy Paul’s match at Louis Armstrong Stadium and stopping by the players’ gym to chat with current women’s No. 1, Iga Swiatek, before Swiatek’s third-round night match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Williams’ presence at the tournament was felt by many, including her close friend and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, who advanced to the fourth round on Saturday.
Wozniacki jokingly expressed her disappointment at not spotting Williams in the stands during her match, quipping:
“I’m going to text her. I’m pretty mad at her for not showing up at my match. … I think we have to talk about that a little bit later.”
Serena Williams, who won six singles titles at the US Open—tying Chris Evert for the most in history—continues to leave her mark on the sport, even as a spectator.
Her return to the tournament where she made countless memories serves as a reminder of her lasting influence on tennis and the generations of players who followed in her footsteps.
