Serena Williams Reveals Why She Was in Hair & Makeup Overnight for Royal Wedding Look

, or as she likes to call it, "evolution," from tennis in the September 2022 Vogue issue, it felt like the end of a glorious era. The bittersweet news no doubt shook diehard tennis lovers as much as it did non-tennis fans when it was announced on August 9. Though she will be stepping away from the tennis court soon, she hasn't packed up her racket just yet.

The U.S. Open’s opening night is usually a relatively sleepy affair, but this year it featured a packed centre court match that could have been the last in the legendary career of Serena Williams.

of her career, but also Williams’s sparkling and shimmering form, covered in crystals, all the way up to her curls.For her first U.S. Open 2022 look, Williams wore a custom black Nike set she designed herself. Inspired by dresses worn by figure skaters, it featured a gem-encrusted bodice with starry detail evoking the night sky over Arthur Ashe Stadium stadium and a tulle skirt with six layers to symbolize her previous U.S.

Serena Williams just beat Danka Kovinic 6-3 in her first set of what’s anticipated to be her last U.S. Open.

Serena Williams is playing at her final U.S. Open and she just made her entrance on the court for her first round of the tournament!

Serena Williams' participation in the upcoming US Open in New York was already set to be quite the emotional one, and it just became all the more special.MORE: Serena Williams mourns heartbreaking loss with emotional tributeThe iconic tournament, which started on 23 August and runs through 11 September, sets the stage for the tennis star's very last competition,  having announced that she would retire after competing in it earlier this summer.Now, as the tournament is underway, Serena is proving she will really go out with a bang – and just the way she kicked off her career over two decades ago –  with none other than her sister Venus Williams by her side.WATCH: Serena offers rare glimpse into her bedroomMORE: Serena Williams shares surprising family photo featuring Meghan Markle – fans reactThe legendary sisters have received a wildcard entry, and will be playing together for the women's doubles tournament.It is the first time the two have joined forces to play at a major together since the French Open in 2018. The second time they won their Grand Slam doubles together was at the US Open in 1999, and Serena won her first of her whopping twenty-three major titles at the very same event.Reunited and it feels so good ❤️ This will be the first time Serena and Venus Williams have played at a major together since the French Open in 2018. #ThatsaW pic.twitter.com/Di8Isk3V0YTheir attendance just became all the more specialThe doubles draw is set to begin on Wednesday, 31 August, though the mom-of-one's first singles match will be against Danka Kovinic on Monday.

Serena Williams has paid tribute to her beloved dog Lauerlei after the eight-year-old sadly passed away.MORE: Serena Williams left emotional after crushing defeat following retirement news"Lauerlei sadly took her last breath yesterday. I am sad but happy for all the time and all the extra I got to spend with her.

Serena Williams is "​evolving away from tennis," retired tennis legend John McEnroe is weighing in on the superstar's indelible legacy.The outspoken athlete recently chatted with ET's Kevin Frazier, while promoting his forthcoming Showtime documentary, and he reflected on Williams' retirement and final US Open.«I hope it goes well for her, but it doesn’t matter ultimately [because] she's an icon,» McEnroe said. «She's like Muhammad Ali, in a way, and Michael Jordan, Billie Jean King, Tom Brady. I mean, she's up with the all-time athletes, whether she wins a match or she wins the tournament.»«I mean, she's won so much, [and] she seems to be in a great place and that’s what matters,» he added. «Hopefully she'll be able to sort of inspire more kids to play the sport of tennis in the future.»McEnroe's praise comes nearly five years after the tennis star found himself in hot water over remarks he made about Williams that many critics felt were sexist.

Serena Williams has revealed that Prince Harry helped her with the decision to retire from tennis, after spending an hour speaking about it to the royal. Earlier this month, the tennis pro announced that she would be retiring to pursue projects outside the world of sport – and it's now been revealed that Prince Harry was part of that decision.

in Vogue’s September issue that she will be stepping back from professional tennis imminently—which many understood to mean that this year’s U.S. Open would be her last—the world has been watching the 40-year-old tennis legend’s every move more closely than ever. The day after her story was published, Williams played the Canadian Open in Toronto and was given a standing ovation, while ticket sales for the U.S.

Serena Williams bid a tearful goodbye to Toronto, leaving it all on Sobeys Stadium’s Centre Court after competing in Wednesday night’s Canadian Open.

Serena Williams was pictured wiping away tears following an emotional defeat at the Canadian Open on Wednesday.SEE: Serena Williams' bespoke Miami mansion where she'll spend retirementThe tennis ace, who announced her retirement plans in an interview with British Vogue, was sadly defeated by 2020 Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Despite the loss, Serena received a standing ovation from the crowd and was clearly moved by the reaction as she struggled to disguise her emotions.WATCH: Serena Williams shares sweet family videoHer defeat marks her final time at the tournament as a player, and speaking in a post-match interview to the Tennis Channel, Serena admitted that it has been "a pretty interesting 24 hours," following her bombshell news."It's just been so memorable," she told the outlet.

Michelle Obama took to social media to share a heartfelt message to Serena Williams after learning the beloved athlete would retire from tennis right after the U.S Open. “Serena, thank you for everything that you’ve done to break barriers and to be a positive light in this world,” she captioned the Instagram post. “We’ve all watched you wear the crown of greatness with the kind of humility, grace, and integrity that all of us can aspire to.

Vogue essay on “evolving away from tennis” has given women around the world “goosebumps” for voicing their shared reality. The first-person piece from the tennis great laid bare the reality that women are faced with a unique dilemma when it comes to choosing between being a parent and pursuing their career. “Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family.

Michelle Obama often shares snippets of her life on social media and is a great cheerleader for those she admires and cares about.MORE: Michelle Obama reveals sad news about daughters Malia and SashaMost recently, the former FLOTUS took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend, tennis champion Serena Williams, following the news of her retirement.Michelle shared a series of photos of the pair together from over the years, including pictures of her cheering Serena on in the crowds during a tennis tournament.VIDEO: Michelle Obama gives rare glimpse into family lifeIn the caption, she wrote: "Serena, thank you for everything that you've done to break barriers and to be a positive light in this world.MORE: Malia Obama steps out in sporty look following birthday celebrationsREAD: Barack Obama mourns sad family death with heartbreaking tribute"We've all watched you wear the crown of greatness with the kind of humility, grace, and integrity that all of us can aspire to. It has meant so much to follow your journey as an athlete, as a mother, as a business leader, and more.

saying ta-ta to tennis. After seven Wimbledon and seven Australian Open titles, six US Open trophies and three French Open crowns, Williams, 40, is officially retiring from the sport, she announced Tuesday. However, she was reluctant to use the word “retirement,” a term she finds outdated.

announced she’s “evolving away” from the sport on Tuesday in an essay for Vogue. Williams added that this year’s US Open, beginning Aug. 29, will be her final tournament. Fittingly, she’ll bow out on the very same stage where she won her first Grand Slam in 1999 at just 17 years old.It’s the biggest departure from US tennis since Andy Roddick hung up his racket in 2012 — but much more massive than that.Roddick only won one slam, after all.