US OPEN

September 2, 2022

Serena Williams

On-Court Interview

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Serena, this has been your stage, this is your moment. What would you like to say to your family, your friends, and all the millions of fans that are watching you around the world?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, my God. Thank you so much. You guys were amazing today. I tried. Ajla just played a little bit better.

Thank you, Daddy. I know you're watching.

Thanks, Mom (tearing up). Oh, my God.

Just I thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decades. Oh, my gosh, literally decades.

But it all started with my parents. And they deserve everything. So I'm really grateful for them.

Oh, my God. These are happy tears, I guess. I don't know.

And I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't Venus, so thank you, Venus. She's the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed, so...

I don't know. Just everyone from Jill to Isha to my sister Lyn, to my husband, Olympia, to Jarmere. Everyone in that box there today. Alexis, Kristy, Derrick (phonetic).

It's been a fun ride. It's been the most incredible ride and journey I've ever been on, I mean, in my life. I'm just so grateful to every single person that's ever said, Go, Serena, in their life. I'm just so grateful. Yeah, I mean, you got me here.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Well, on behalf of the whole tennis community, we thank you for letting us be part of this journey and watching greatness for the last 25 years. It's been remarkable.

SERENA WILLIAMS: A long time.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Before I let you go, the quality of this match was unreal.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Any chance you'll reconsider?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, I'm literally playing my way into this and getting better. I should have started sooner this year (laughter).

I don't think so, but you never know. I don't know (smiling).

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: We hope so. You will be missed. But we will remember and have the best memories. Simply the best, Serena Williams. Congratulations on an incredible, extraordinary career.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Thank you, everyone.