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Serena Williams after her victory in the opening match of the US Open: "It means so much to me to be here"
Photo: John Minchillo/AP
Serena Williams has postponed her farewell to the big tennis stage again: The 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner won at the start of the US Open on Tuesday night against Danka Kovinić from Montenegro 6: 3, 6: 3.
Her next opponent is now world number two Anett Kontaveit from Estonia.
"I just wanted to do my best and I always feel so confident on this pitch," Williams said.
"It means so much to me to be here."
Williams starred in a self-designed dress - and diamond-encrusted shoes.
A-list celebrities were on the guest list for the highlight game at New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium: Hugh Jackman, Mike Tyson, Lindsey Vonn, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Bill Clinton and many more.
In addition, almost 24,000 fans who had paid horrendous prices for a ticket on the black market.
Williams had announced her retirement as a competitive athlete three weeks ago - in style for her in the fashion magazine "Vogue".
"I'm not happy about this topic, I feel great pain," said the American.
“It's the hardest thing I can imagine.
I hate it.
I hate being at a crossroads.«
At the hard court tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where she won her first Grand Slam title in 1999 at the age of 17, Williams still competes in doubles with her sister Venus.
Serena Williams is considered by many to be the greatest tennis player in history.
Even if she is likely to miss Margaret Court's all-time record: The Australian was able to celebrate 24 individual triumphs in the four most important tournaments.
Jabeur and Kontaveit continue safely - Halep fails
Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur also made it into the second round of the US Open without any problems.
The 28-year-old Tunisian prevailed against Madison Brengle from the USA.
Top talent Coco Gauff from the USA remained sovereign against Leolia Jeanjean from France.
The same applies to Anett Kontaveit: she defeated the Romanian Jaqueline Cristian.
On the other hand, the two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep from Romania was surprisingly eliminated: she lost to the Ukrainian Daria Snigur in three sets.
The Russian Darja Kassatkina, seeded in 10th position, also had to admit defeat to the British Harriet Dart.
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