Serena Williams begins US Open with a convincing singles win The American tennis star, who was once ranked 11th in the world, has won the first major trophy of her career but the first big one in her illustrious career has yet to come. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Serena Williams has won the first major trophy of her career, defeating Venus Williams in the US Open final to become a two-time champion.
It was a stunning victory, with Serena’s flawless consistency finally seeing off the formidable No.18 seed.
The two-time champion has not won a major title since she last triumphed at Wimbledon in 2009 but the US Open title was a huge achievement over last year’s runner-up, Victoria Azarenka.
The 22-year-old Williams will retain the $2m first prize and will now retire as the world No.1.
She now has a chance to become the first Australian to reach the No.1 ranking since Virginia Wade in 1981.
Serena will become the first athlete to wear the number 1 since Wilt Chamberlain.
In a show of respect after a career at the highest level, the United States Open is to honour Williams with an Olympic-sized statue.
The statues, which are made from bronze, bronze and aluminium, will be awarded to the victors of the US Open in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2015, in tribute to the first woman to become the US Open champion since Serena Williams.
AAP
There are more than 5,000 plaques on the US Open courts.
AAP
‘I will definitely be retiring as the world’s No.1,’ she said, adding: ‘It’s a career I look back on fondly, but it’s time to move on.’
Serena said the title was not given to her because she was the oldest woman to win the event, but was instead a tribute to the competition.
‘This is the first major in my career that I won,’ she said.
‘It’s the first Grand Slam of my career where I didn’t need a walk over. I was at the top of my game.’
The tournament also saw the return of US Open champion and former world No.1, Venus.
Having only defeated Williams in the last three Grand Slam finals, Venus