WATCH: "I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't Venus"
Tennis legend Serena Williams gave her sister Venus Williams all the credit in the world for paving the way for her success.
Serena Williams (40) announced that she would retire after competing at the US Open.
On Friday night, Williams was beaten 7-5, 6-7 (4/7) 6-1 by Ajla Tomljanovic in a gruelling 3-hour 5-minute battle.
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Williams, a sporting and cultural icon who amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her 27-year career, poured everything into one last stand in front of a ferociously partisan crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Afterwards, Williams saluted the crowd, as Tina Turner's hit song 'Simply The Best' played in the background.
"It's been a fun ride," she said. "It's been the most incredible ride and journey I've ever been on, I mean, in my life.
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"I'm just so grateful to every single person that's ever said, 'Go, Serena,' in their life. I'm just so grateful. You got me here."
Williams praised her parents Richard Williams and Oracene Price, who had set her and her sister Venus on the path to superstardom.
"It all started with my parents," Williams said. "They deserve everything. So I'm really grateful for them."
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Williams also paid tribute to her sister who looked on from the stands.
"I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't Venus, so thank you, Venus. She's the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed," she said.
Watch the special and emotional moment below:
"I wouldn't be #Serena if it wasn't for Venus." #usopen pic.twitter.com/MdpT77cFDP
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 3, 2022
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