Serena Williams is leaving, now what?

Serena Williams, knocked out in the third round in New York by Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, leaves. In agreement. The day had to come. A splendid 25-year era is closing – 7-5, 6-7 (4) and 6-1 in favor of his last rival – and his country, the United States, regrets it, orphan of relays for a woman who has sustained him since he Sampras, Agassi and Roddick stepped aside.

We cry in one of the great powers and also in the fan in general, who sees how the most charismatic tennis player of modernity leaves, the wheel to follow, the heroine (also discussed many times) who put the Show on and off the track. The emptiness is enormous and everything changes, and they sob in the WTA offices like nowhere else because the great asset disappears. She comes out, now what?

Heiress wanted. And not now, but for a long time. the fear of day 1 after Serena Behind the scenes it was monumental. His mere active presence, even if he was better, worse or practically absent as throughout the last year, ensured an impact, attention and commercial links that from now on will suffer. Wanted product. The body that governs the circuit tries to project other players of greater or lesser importance, but has not yet managed to find the tennis player who can smooth the transition from one era to another. The Japanese Naomi Osaka was the great one. However, the Japanese (24 years old) entered a tunnel from which she cannot escape.

“I have a lot of chaos in my head right now, I need to relax a bit and disconnect,” said the Asian, winner of four majors and former number one, after saying goodbye to the great New Yorker in the first round.

There was Ashleigh Barty, the formidable Australian who in March also announced her dismissal because the tennis routine was already burning her too much and she wanted a new life. At 25, she was simply the best of her, but her discreet profile and her willingness to stay away from the spotlight was a but from a commercial point of view. On her goodbye day, she quoted Iga Swiatek, the Polish rock (21 years old) who this year has won one trophy after another; in full growth phase and with two Roland Garros in her pocket, at the moment she doesn’t seem to meet media expectations nor does she end up falling in love with her game.

Coco Gauff, the indicated

From behind comes a pack of stomping, stomping youngsters, potential up-and-coming figures like Britain’s Emma Raducanu, but so far only Swiatek has really stepped forward. Today she occupies the top and exerts herself, although behind closed doors she trusts Coco Gauff’s definitive jump. From different angles, many perceive in the North American the ideal successor. At 18 years old, she has already settled in the upper zone, she knows how to enter the final stages of the big tournaments and propose a committed and vindictive speech that fits perfectly into the robot portrait that the female rectors want.

“I admit that I am nervous and I feel the pressure to succeed Serena,” admits the American, who in 2019, at just 15 years old, became the youngest tennis player to qualify for the Wimbledon main draw and reached the round of 16 there. Three months ago, her achievement was superior, landing in the Roland Garros final. “I know that people want to see me winning Grand Slams, but it is essential to recognize the problem [de la teorica sucesion] and continue working very hard”, adds the young woman.

Meanwhile, tennis and his country roll out the red carpet to fire Williams, which leaves him about to turn 41. “How lucky we have been to see the journey of a young Compton girl who became one of the greatest athletes of all time. I am proud of you, my friend, and I am anxious to see how you continue to transform lives thanks to your skills”, Michelle Obama dedicated to her, joining the congratulations and good wishes of a long list of celebrities.

There is no lack, of course, of the praise that colleagues have given her in these last dates, since she announced her decision through the magazine fashion. Those of the three giants, in unison. “Thank you for everything you have done for our sport, you are an incredible ambassador”, Rafael Nadal transferred through his social networks, in which he also highlighted his track record. “I stayed up late to see you in the 1999 final against Hingis. You have all my respect”, said Roger Federer. And Novak Djokovic closed: “Your legacy will remain forever, you have inspired many generations of athletes.”

She, already on her own, closes the door in her own way: “I am grateful for this trip and for being Serena Williams.”

You can follow EL PAIS Sports in Facebook Y Twitteror sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.