‘Fighter’ Serena proud of impact she had on tennis

NEW YORK: Serena Williams said that she wanted to be remembered as a fighter and was proud of the impact she had on tennis.

“The fight, I am such a fighter,” Serena said when asked how she wanted to be remembered. “I feel like I really brought something to tennis – a different look, the fist pumps, the crazy intensity. Passion is a really good word,” she told reporters.

Serena and her sister Venus took the tennis world by storm when they emerged from the courts of Compton, California, as teenagers. They then went on to dominate and change the face of the predominantly white sport. Serena thanked her family, friends and fans for an “incredible journey” on the court. “Honestly, I am so grateful that I had this moment and that I am Serena,” she added.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion singled out the 2015 French Open triumph as a career highlight. She had battled through serious flu symptoms to complete her second ‘Serena Slam’ – four consecutive Grand Slam titles. “That is definitely the one I am taking with me because I almost died in that event. Somehow, I won.”

Serena exceeded expectations at the year’s final major, turning back the clock to beat World No.2 Anett Kontaveit and fending off five match points against Ajla Tomljanovic.