Serena Williams Proves She's the GOAT With Epic Clapback After U.S. Open Round 2 Win

After Serena Williams won her match against no. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the U.S. Open, she was asked if she surprised herself with her level of playing and served an epic reply.

By Elyse Dupre Sep 01, 2022 2:43 PMTags
Watch: Serena Williams Announces Retirement From Tennis

Serena Williams just aced this response. 

After winning her match against the no. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit during the second round of the U.S. Open on Aug. 31, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was asked by former tennis pro and ESPN analyst Mary Joe Fernández if she surprised herself with her level of performance.

Letting out a small laugh, Williams replied, "I mean, I'm just Serena, you know?"

It was a nailing-biting night at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York. After narrowly edging out Kontaveit to win the first set, Williams lost the second before clinching victory in the third.

"Honestly, after I lost the second set, I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I gotta give my best effort 'cause this could be it," the athlete, who announced in an August essay for Vogue that she's retiring (or "evolving away") from tennis, continued. "And so really, I just wanted to just keep trying and see what I could do and just do my best. And I was just really excited to be honest."

When asked how she beat Kontaveit, Williams replied, "Well, I'm a pretty good player. You know, this is what I do best. I love a challenge. I love rising to the challenge."

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Serena Williams Through the Years

Williams returned to tennis in June after suffering a leg injury at Wimbledon in 2021.

"I haven't played many matches, but I've been practicing really well," she added. "And my last few matches, it just wasn't coming together. I'm like, 'But this isn't me.' And, you know, the last couple matches here in New York, it's really come together."

But Williams is ready to make this final Grand Slam tournament count.

"It's no rush here," she said during the post-match interview. "I'm loving this crowd. Oh my goodness, it's really fantastic. There's still a little left in me. We'll see."

Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress

Williams has had a lot of supporters—including her husband Alexis Ohanian and 5-year-old daughter Olympia—cheering her on from her player's box. And her fans are sure to keep supporting the tennis champ as she competes in her first-round doubles match with Venus Williams on Sept. 1 and her third-round singles match against Ajla Tomljanovic on Sept. 2. 

To see some of the stars who've attended the U.S. Open this year, keep scrolling.

Ciara & Russell Wilson

The two cheer on their friend Serena Williams in her third-round match against Ajla Tomljanovic. Serena lost the game, believed to be the final pro tennis match of her career.

Ben Simmons

The NBA star arrives at the U.S. Open to watch Serena Williams play what ended up being her likely final match.

Retta & Kal Penn

Hollywood's biggest stars have some fun in the Heineken suite at the US Open Tennis Championships.

Valentina Ferrer

The fashion model wears Polo Ralph Lauren to the U.S. Open while visiting the Ralph Lauren suite on Labor Day. 

Gayle King

The TV personality cheers on Serena Williams.

Ciara & Russell Wilson

The two watch their friend Serena Williams in her match against Ajla Tomljanovic.

Bella Hadid

The model gets emotional watching Serena Williams face off against Ajla Tomljanovic in a third-round match.

Ashley Graham

The model takes a pic of Serena Williams facing off against Ajla Tomljanovic in a third-round match.

Spike Lee & P.K. Subban

The director and hockey player watch Serena Williams face off against Ajla Tomljanovic in a third-round match.

Gigi Hadid
Eli Brown
Zendaya
Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor
Offset, Bella Hadid, Marc Kalman
Anna Wintour
Ashley Graham
Rebel Wilson, Ramona Agruma
Bill Clinton
Lindsey Vonn
Hugh Jackman, Anthony Anderson
Gayle King
Queen Latifah