Serena Williams is hailed as ‘a phenomenon, an icon, a legend’ by long-term sponsor Nike as the brand pays tribute to the all-time great who ‘changed everything’ after taking her final bow in US Open defeat
- Serena Williams’ long-serving sponsor produced an emotional video Friday night
- The 60-second video follows Williams’ exit from the Open after a three-set loss
- Ajla Tomljanovic defeated the American icon in a tense yet enthralling encounter
Following Serena Williams’ third-round exit at her home tournament, celebrities, fans and sponsors have paid their respects to the six-times US Open champion.
Her longtime athletic sponsor, Nike, released an empowering and uplifting video showcasing Williams’ achievements as a player and role model throughout her illustrious career.
The video begins with images of Compton before showing the famous red van in which Richard Williams would drive his daughters around in.
The video continues to flash through moments in the 23-time singles Grand Slam champion’s life on and off the court with powerful words echoing in the periphery.
‘When the world judged her home, she repped her city,’ the narration began.
‘When the world, criticized her family, she loved them out loud.
Serena Williams has sported some of the more colorful outfits during the Open Era of tennis
Then, the narrator stops as a video of Williams Sr. asking his young daughter Serena, ‘what’s important in your heart?’
‘Family,’ she replies.
The narrator returns as the repetitive sentence structure starts to heighten Serena’s magnificence.
‘When the world wanted her to be less powerful, she hit even harder.
‘When her body was too much for some, she made the world envy it.
Richard Williams pictured with his daughters Serena and Venus during their formative years
‘She refused to hide her flair, or what was on her mind.’
‘I want to be that role model and I’ve always embraced being a role model. But now it’s even more so,’ Williams said in a brief clip.
Legendary Australian tennis caller, Bruce McAvaney refers to Williams as ‘a phenomenon, an icon, a legend,’ following one of her Australian Open triumphs.
The clip begins to wind down before leaving viewers feeling a sense of awe at the modern tennis matriarch’s successes.
Williams was immense during her final bow in Arthur Ashe Stadium but could not win again
‘She didn’t change who she was. And that changed everything. For all of us.
‘By changing nothing, she changed everything.’
According to Williams, none of which would have been possible without those closest to her.
‘Thank you Daddy, I know you’re watching. Thanks Mom. Oh my God,’ Williams said post-match, beginning to cry.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and wife Ciara sat in the player’s box during Williams’ loss
‘I just thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side, so many year, decades, oh my gosh literally decades.
‘But it all started with my parents and they deserve everything so I’m really grateful for them.’
Williams then went on to mention her elder sister and inspiration, Venus, for her instrumental role in the 23-time grand slam singles champion’s career.
Williams is retiring to ‘evolve’ & extend her family with devoted husband, Alexis Ohanian
‘I wouldn’t be Serena if it wasn’t [for] Venus, so, thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed.’
Williams’ life is certainly set to change after the three-set, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 loss to Ajla Tomljanovic.
The tennis world will be poorer without her but perhaps her greatest gift will be those who now follow in the footsteps she so forcefully treaded.
The American icon managed to fit through noticeable fatigue and frustration during the loss
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