Serena Williams just gave a lot of people a nice boost on their tickets if they are going to resell them.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Williams would call it quits after the U.S. Open.
Demand for tickets immediately skyrocketed, which means the secondary market will explode.
Time to Go
Williams has been battling injuries for years.
There have also been rumors that she wants to have another child.
She has won every possible honor in the sport of tennis, with a career record of 855-153, having won 23 Grand Slam singles tournaments and 73 singles titles overall.
She has been just as impressive in doubles, with a 192-34 career record, including 23 titles and 14 Grand Slam titles.
However, she has been in a majors draught since winning the Australian Open in 2017.
She entered the sport at the age of 14 using a wild card entry, making a splash right away.
She lost that match, but the tennis world was put on notice that a star was about to take over.
Her retirement announcement caused a massive surge for U.S. Open tickets.
USTA spokesperson Chris Widmaier stated, “You talk about the Serena effect, it’s like a tsunami.
“Since people have learned of the news, we’ve sold, as of 3 p.m. [Tuesday], 13,000 tickets to the Open, including 4,500 or thereabouts for opening night.”
Ticket prices have almost tripled on the secondary market already, and they will probably go much higher.
If Serena makes it past the first round, those prices will only escalate further, as fans will want to have the ticket as a souvenir for her final day on the court.
Williams announced her retirement on social media, posting, “There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction.
“That time is always hard when you love something so much.
“My goodness do I enjoy tennis.
“But now, the countdown has begun.
“I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena.
“I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”
Expectations are not high for Williams at the Open, so it will be a shame to see a career with so many high notes end on a low one.
Who knows, though… she is a champion and I have seen her play through injuries that would have buckled most people.
She may find “it” for one final deep run on U.S. soil to say goodbye to her fans.
