Serena Williams Not Done Yet—Wins 1st Match at US Open

Serena Williams, of the United States, returns a shot to Danka Kovinic, of Montenegro, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships in New York, Aug. 29, 2022. John Minchillo/AP Photo

NEW YORK—Serena Williams is not ready to say goodbye just yet. Nor, clearly, are her fans.

In her first match at what is expected to be the last U.S. Open—and last tournament—of her remarkable playing career, Williams overcame a shaky start to overwhelm Danka Kovinic 6–3, 6–3 on Aug. 29 in a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium with an atmosphere more akin to a festival than a farewell.