Tennis Honors: Serena Williams

Serena Williams tributes pouring in on social media: "Thank you for inspiring all of us!"

A day after the 23-time Grand Slam winner waved farewell at the US Open, celebrities, athletes and figures from the tennis world and beyond were still paying respects to the "GOAT".

ByBaseline Staff

Published Sep 03, 2022

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live discusses Serena Williams' final match of her illustrious career.

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Less than 24 hours after Serena Williams waved farewell at the US Open, and the tributes are still pouring in for the "GOAT".

With her 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-1 defeat to an inspired Ajla Tomljanovic on Friday evening, Serena's illustrious career came to an apparent end under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium. She'll walk away from the game having changed it forever, having inspired generations of current and future players along the way.

After the match, the 23-time Grand Slam champion's peers and rivals took to social media to share the love. The likes of Billie Jean King, Coco Gauff and more shared their favorite memories of Serena, celebrating both her impact and the next step in her "evolution":

Her incredible career made its mark on tennis history.

And yet her greatest contributions may be yet to come.

Thank you, @serenawilliams.

Your journey continues. #serena #USOpen https://t.co/0wDFfRN3Dq
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 3, 2022

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A post shared by Coco Gauff (@cocogauff)

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Your accomplishments makes history forever 👑 but the fighting spirit from deep within your heart will always be what fascinated me the most . Thank you @serenawilliams 🙏🏽 @usopen #USOpen2022 pic.twitter.com/lcw1mHVzV4
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) September 3, 2022

You can read the respect and the admiration for this exceptional champion in my eyes.
Good luck for the rest of your life @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/TBfeWeN6j9
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) September 3, 2022

Más claro imposible . Serena ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IYZ4WSRVw2
— Juan Monaco (@picomonaco) September 3, 2022

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I’m privileged to share some of the most memorable matches in my career with you. Your personal achievements are one part of the story that cannot be praised enough but you‘ve also helped built the stage for a whole generation of players, including myself… pic.twitter.com/yng0UlBIs3
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) September 3, 2022

Serena 💕
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) September 3, 2022

I will forever miss you, your energy and your love for our sport!! As @BillieJeanKing said on court, you hate to lose and I LOVE THAT!! this tweet will be way too short to emphasize how much I love you @serenawilliams FOREVER THE #GOAT𓃵 #Serena #USOpen2022 pic.twitter.com/9DtX8C3Wue
— MARION BARTOLI (@bartoli_marion) September 3, 2022

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What. A. Career. Simply the greatest of all time! Congrats for an outstanding career @serenawilliams It was a privilege to compete against you. You’ve pushed all of us to become a better player!
All the best Serena pic.twitter.com/nIS03vRwnc
— Sabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki) September 3, 2022

Serena. Thank you for being you and the inspiration to so many men and women. I’ve never seen a more intense competitor and it was an honor to share a court with you and watch history. Simply the best. @serenawilliams
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 3, 2022

I have no words all I can say is... THANK YOU #Serena
— Chanda Rubin (@Chanda_Rubin) September 3, 2022

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Congratulations @serenawilliams for your extraordinary career and thank you for what you’ve done for tennis. I wish you all the best #ThankYouSerena ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DUzVXHJFCr
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) September 3, 2022

It has been an honor to watch Serena as a child, to play on the same Fed Cup team as a 17 year old, to compete against her on the biggest stage of our sport (and bring Beyoncé and Jay-Z to watch me), and as 🐐 do, finish her career years after mine. pic.twitter.com/4qoPKSnUBn
— Vania King (@queen_v21) September 3, 2022

THAT MATCH 🤯💥 Congrats @serenawilliams on an incredible career! 👏👏 Well done today @Ajlatom, happy for you 🎉🙌
— Marin Cilic (@cilic_marin) September 3, 2022

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Thanks @serenawilliams!!! 😍🙌🏻 https://t.co/xgdCHAvDQh
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) September 3, 2022

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A post shared by Bethanie Mattek-Sands (@matteksands)

Respect to our Goat, thank you for your dedication to our sport, enjoy the next chapter ❤️ @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/dslgQShDBo
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) September 3, 2022

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What a ride! @serenawilliams Thanks for allowing me to take that last dance with you. Your grit, determination, passion and love for this game is unmatched. Thank you for everything you have given to this sport 🎾 i love ya #GOAT𓃵 #serena #queen #friend pic.twitter.com/UqXmMyxkzB
— Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) September 3, 2022

With her impact transcending far beyond the sport, social media tributes were also pouring in from legendary sports figures like Tiger Woods and Simone Biles, as well as celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L. Jackson and more:

.@serenawilliams you’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 3, 2022

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I’m so grateful for @serenawilliams. What she has given this sport and us will never be lost on me. #ThankYouSerena
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) September 3, 2022

It’s been a joy watching greatness! Congrats Serena!
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) September 3, 2022

The greatest of all time. Period! It’s been a privilege to watch history. Congrats on an incredible career @serenawilliams 💪🏻❤️ https://t.co/uk1wBM8ZxG
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) September 3, 2022

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Age is not what the body tells you, but what your mind tells the body. Teenagers can solve world’s biggest problems, adults can pick up something new & excel.

Sport inspires society to push limits & achieve the impossible. Congratulations on an inspiring career, @serenawilliams. pic.twitter.com/qxckNSoaw8
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 3, 2022

thank you @serenawilliams for transcending sports for black athletes, female athletes and every athlete🤍

such a pleasure to watch, thanks for being an inspiration
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) September 3, 2022

her will, her strength, her determination…she simply never gives up. She’s a great example to us all. Congrats and thank you, Serena!!
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 3, 2022

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#SerenaWilliams THANK YOU 🐐!! You’re so damn DOPE!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🤎 https://t.co/5tSbzz7UHw
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 3, 2022

Serena fighting until the last point, always. You've given so much to tennis, and so much to womens sports. Thank you @serenawilliams
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 3, 2022

Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams!

How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.

I'm proud of you, my friend—and I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents. pic.twitter.com/VWONEMAwz3
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 3, 2022

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Congratulations, Serena, for your heart, skill, intelligence, dedication, and grace. Few athletes have inspired more people both in and beyond their sport!
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 3, 2022

Serena inspired us on the world stage for almost 30 years and changed sports forever. Your determined spirit and unique approach to the game empowered us all to be brave and express who we are. I’m excited to see the next phase of your life, “Serena 2.0”. You’ve earned it. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/SmKTJtKCba
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 3, 2022

Thanks @SerenaWilliams
Greatest Champion & Competitor!
Heart of a Lion! 🙌🏾🏆
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) September 3, 2022

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25 years. Champion. Shero. Legend forever! @serenawilliams #USOpen pic.twitter.com/xdo4dy4fpP
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) September 3, 2022

Serena. Thank you.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 3, 2022

Sereeeeeeennnnnnaaaa!!!🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺@serenawilliams @usopen pic.twitter.com/89PTWaM6PW
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2022

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THANKS @serenawilliams YOU’RE GOING OUT SCRAPPING, JUST LIKE YOU CAME IN👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾‼️‼️‼️💯
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) September 3, 2022

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