Serena Williams hailed by rivals as stars pay tribute ahead of US Open swansong

Serena Williams’ fellow players have been queuing up to praise her impact on and off the court ahead of her farewell to tennis.

Although she has not completely shut the door on future appearances, the US Open looks set to be her swansong, bringing the curtain down on a 27-year career.

The majority of the players at Flushing Meadows were not born when Williams made her professional debut in 1995 and have only known the sport with her as its dominant figure.

Naomi Osaka’s father was inspired by the success of Richard Williams in raising two champion daughters and followed his blueprint.

“I think that her legacy is really wide to the point where you can’t even describe it in words,” said Osaka.

“She changed the sport so much. She’s introduced people that have never heard of tennis into the sport. I think I’m a product of what she’s done. I wouldn’t be here without Serena, Venus, her whole family. I’m very thankful to her.

“I honestly think that she’s the biggest force in the sport. That’s not intentionally trying to make Federer or Nadal smaller. I just think she’s the biggest thing that will ever be in the sport.

Sometimes being a black woman in the world, you kind of settle for less. I can't remember a moment in her career or life that she settled for less.- Coco Gauff on Serena Williams

“There’s definitely been a lot of barriers that I’m sure she had to fight to break down. We can now easily go through that because of her.”

Williams’ impact as a black pioneer in sport is a huge part of her legacy, and her influence is reflected in the diverse make-up of the game now, particularly among American players.

Williams was already a six-time grand slam singles champion when Coco Gauff was born, and the 40-year-old’s attitude on