Moments after Serena Williams upset the current world number two at the US Open on Wednesday, extending what is expected to be her swan song in the sport she has transformed, a courtside reporter asked her if she was surprised with her level of play.
The tennis world met Williams and her sister Venus as braces-bedecked teenagers more than 20 years ago, two prodigies from Compton, California who couldn’t contain their delight in taking over the game. Now 40, the 23-time Grand Slam champion merely laughed at the question. “I mean,” she said with a shrug, “I’m just Serena.”
“Just Serena” currently holds more major trophies won in the Open era than any man or woman, four Olympic gold medals and more than double the career prize money of any player on the women’s tour.