US Open 2022: 'You never know' - Serena Williams hints at retirement U-turn after New York crowd reaction

Serena Williams has joked that the «overwhelming» reception she received during her US Open first-round victory over Danka Kovinic could prompt her into a possible change of heart over her impending retirement. The 23-time Grand Slam winner looks set to call time on a glittering career following this year’s tournament after revealing recently that she plans to ‘evolve away’ from tennis. Ad However, following her 6-3 6-3 win over the Montenegro player in front of a loud and passionate crowd inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 40-year-old hinted at a possible U-turn.

US OpenA special night Williams and tennis fans will never forget — US Open Diary25 MINUTES AGO “Yeah, I've been pretty vague about it [retirement], right?” she said with a smile at her post-match press conference. “I'm going to stay vague because you never know." She added: “I think when I walked out, the reception was really overwhelming. It was loud and I could feel it in my chest.

It was a really good feeling. “It's a feeling I'll never forget, so I really — yeah, that meant a lot to me.” The American admitted that the atmosphere and reaction of the home crowd in New York played its part in her win. 'Amazing for Serena' — Reaction to 'unbelievable' Williams victory and 'party' atmosphere Serena gets tennis farewell off to dream start with confident win over Kovinic “I was just thinking, like, Is this for real? Really?,” she said “At the same time, I'm also thinking, I still have a match to play and I want to be able to play up to this reception almost.

“It was so loud. I just was overwhelmed in a good way. Yeah, but at the same time it's like you have to be focused, you have to be laser-focused.