Serena thanks parents, praises Venus | US Open updates | Basketball

Serena Williams tearfully thanked her parents after a loss in what’s expected to be her final match.

Then came the acknowledgement for her older sister.

“I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus. So thank you, Venus,” Williams said. “She’s the only reason Serena Williams ever existed.”

Williams had said before the tournament she was preparing for the end of a career in which she won 23 Grand Slam singles titles. She said she was grateful to everyone who had supported her.

“These are happy tears, I guess,” she said.