Serena Williams Illustrious Career Ends Via Defeat From Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open; Tennis World Pays Tribute to Legendary Athlete

After an incredible night in New York, Serena Williams said goodbye to the US Open and her extraordinary career in front of a slew of fans after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia.

Williams, who will be 41 later this month, believes it to be her last match.

The American's professional career will come to a close after 27 years, with 23 major singles titles to her name.

Tears streamed down Williams' cheeks after the 7-5, 6-7, 4-7, 6-1 defeat.

A former long-time world number one, Serena Williams saved five match points in the decisive game but couldn't prevent a sixth, per BBC.

When Serena walked off the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the site of her first major victory in 1999 and five more of the sweetest triumphs in her historic career, nearly everyone there stood up in appreciation.

Asked if she would reconsider retiring after her performances this week, Williams said: "I'm literally playing my way into this and getting better. I should have started sooner this year. I don't think so, but you never know."

Serena Honors Her Family

During an on-court interview, Williams was visibly moved as she expressed gratitude to her family, teammates, the spectators, and her supporters across the world.

"I thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decades. Oh my gosh, literally decades," said Williams, who played her first professional match in 1995. She was 14 that time.

Serena expressed gratitude to her family for all the support they gave her through the years.

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

Tomljanovic, who advances to the fourth round and will face Liudmila Samsonova of Russia, moved to the side and cheered Samsonova as she accepted the microphone.

The world number 46 put on a remarkable performance to drown out the crowd and the importance of the moment, as seen by her clinical hitting in the last moments of the three-hour-and-five-minute match.

Williams has been the women's singles No. 1 for a record 186 weeks and won 23 Grand Slam singles championships, second to Margaret Court, according to Deadline.

Tributes Pour In for the Legendary Tennis Athlete

The tennis world will never be the same without Serena Williams. Hence, following the game, notable tennis personalities and organizations express the legend their undying love and support as she enters her retirement, The New York Post reported.

Some of them spoke about how Serena Williams changed their lives or helped them develop in their careers.

Sabine Lisicki, a Wimbledon Finalist who holds the world record for fastest serve (131mph/211 kph) tweeted: "What. A. Career. Simply the greatest of all time! Congrats on an outstanding career @serenawilliams. It was a privilege to compete against you. You've pushed all of us to become better players! All the best Serena." Former Professional Tennis Player James Blake expressed his admiration for Williams.

"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," he posted on Twitter.

Here are other Serena Williams tributes from other Tennis personalities on Twitter:

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Serena williams, Us open, Tennis