Serena Williams brought out the stars.
The 40-year-old had quite the cheering section for the start of her final go-round at Flushing Meadows, a Monday night matchup against Danka Kovinic.
“The crowd was crazy,” Serena told CBS’ Gayle Williams post-match. “Really helped pull me through.”
Chief among her well-wishers was Serena’s four-year-old daughter Olympia, who was a staple of ESPN’s coverage, shouting for mom, eating a lollipop, and playing around with Reddit founder and dad Alexis Ohanian in the player’s box.
Olympia wore a sequined outfit similar to Serena’s, her hair festooned with white beads in an apparent homage to her mom’s hairstyle from her first U.S. Open title in 1999.
Also seated in Serena’s box was Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue magazine, which served as the outlet for the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s retirement announcement.
Mayor Eric Adams took in the spectacle, as well.
“She inspired so many young people to see that there’s no limitation,” Adams said before the match. “She has done so much to this generation of introducing tennis into their lives.”
Elsewhere in the crowd, boxer Mike Tyson sat next to tennis legend Martina Navratilova and petted her dog, Lulu.
Director Spike Lee took part in an on-court coin toss before the matchup. Queen Latifah, who narrated a highlight video of Serena, took in the action from the stands as well.
Actress Rebel Wilson and actors Anthony Anderson and Hugh Jackman were in the crowd, as were Katie Couric, Matt Damon, Gayle King and Lindsey Vonn.
Perhaps the oddest sighting at Arthur Ashe Stadium was the pairing of President Bill Clinton and 94-year-old sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer. The two were shown engaging in conversation, including a playful slap from Westheimer to Clinton’s face.
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