On what many are dubbing her “Farewell Tour”, Serena Williams is giving her fans more and more opportunities to watch her play.
Coming into the US Open, especially after a first-round loss in the recent Cincinnati Masters, Williams was not a favorite to win. In fact, she was given a 50-1 shot at winning before her first match. After she won in the first round, the odds were lowered to 30-1. And now, after upsetting the second seed Anett Kontaveit just a few hours ago, odds are at 14-1.
With her second-round victory, Williams advances to the third round of the US Open. As one of the all-time greats, fans everywhere are excited that we will get to see more. Especially since she announced her imminent from the sport just last month.
No one knows when her final game will be. So of course, people from all over are making the effort to see her play. These are some of the celebrities who came to see Serena play in her first two matches.
Zendaya
The star of Euphoria and Spider-Man was seen in the Arthur Ashe Stadium today to watch Serena Williams’ match against Anett Kontaveit.
She can definitely rock any look. The combo of the simple black top and the specs are giving Steve Jobs. Zendaya looked like an absolute girl boss tonight.
Gigi & Bella Hadid
Model sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid were also among those who got to witness Serena’s second-round win. They were caught on camera looking like they were feeling the tension in the third set. But, it also seemed like they enjoyed their snacks too.
May we just say it isn’t everyone who can look this glamorous eating stadium food. We also loved seeing the game from Bella’s point of view on her Instagram stories.
If only we could have seen them #TwirlForSerena too.
Spike Lee
Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee is a huge tennis fan and he loves to play too. And he’s also a huge Serena Williams fan. So it was no surprise when we saw him on TV in the middle of today’s game.
We love the support that Lee has given the 23-time Grand Slam champion. In case you missed it, he even prepared a special tribute for Serena ahead of her first-round match.
On a bench in Fort Green Park in New York City, a place where the director himself also plays tennis, he immortalized the Williams sisters’ names on a park bench.
“I think of you as my little sister,” he says in the video. “Congratulations on all you’ve done.“
A truly heartwarming sentiment. We’ll definitely be seeing more of Spike in Serena’s coming third-round match.
Tiger Woods
And of course, right in Serena Williams’ box, was golf legend, Tiger Woods. He was cheering hard for the Grand Slam champion today, not holding his emotions back. GOAT supporting GOAT—you love to see it.
Sitting next to him in the box was his girlfriend, Erica Herman.
But Woods is not just another celebrity in the stands. He and Williams are actually very close friends and have been for years. I mean, he is sitting in her box. In an interview, he even opened up about their friendship over the years and how Serena has inspired him.
“Yeah, Serena is one of my closest friends. Our relationship has evolved into that and it’s been awesome…The way she’s dominated the game for such a long period of time, that just doesn’t happen in that sport. It just goes to show you how good she is and how talented she is but I’ve got to know her on a personal level and as I said she’s one of my classes seat friends,” he said.
As close as they are, of course, he just had to be there to support what may be her final run as a tennis player.
Serena Williams, after everything she has done in her career, is not your average tennis player. She has proven that many times on the court. And the amount of support she has on her side is a testament to that.
Who do you think we will be seeing next in her third-round match?