Sports stars shower Serena Williams with praise after her U.S. Open loss

After nearly three decades in professional tennis, along with 23 Grand Slam trophies and 73 singles titles, Serena Williams’ tennis career is over, as she’s said the U.S. Open would be her last tournament.

Williams advanced to the third round of the tournament she’s won six times and took on Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic on Friday night. After a more than three-hour grueling match, Tomljanovic topped Williams in three sets, presumably ending the GOAT’s incredible career.

Although Williams wasn’t quite playing at the same level as her first two tournament matches, she didn’t go down without a fight, of course. It was a thrilling match, and although she lost, it was a memorable final appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The tributes, thank-yous and messages of love for Williams poured in after the match ended, including one from former First Lady Michelle Obama:

But she certainly wasn’t alone.