Clinton, Tyson, Jackman cheer Serena

It's rare that a world number one and defending champion is the warm up act at the US Open, but that was the case on Monday, August 29, 2022, as Daniil Medvedev played second fiddle to Serena Williams, who took the court later having hinted the match could be her last.

Williams, widely considered the greatest woman's player ever, breezed to a straight sets victory over Montenegro's Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3 on Day 1 of the Open to make the second round.

Eager to witness what many felt would be Williams's final competitive match, thousands of fans poured into the Arthur Ashe stadium for her early evening clash, few taking notice of the match between Medvedev and American Stefan Kozlov.

Among them were former US president Bill Clinton, boxing great Mike Tyson and actor Hugh Jackman, all not expecting to see greatness but to celebrate it.

Playing her 21st US Open, Serena has never lost in the first round and her victory over Kovinic was her 106th at Flushing Meadows.

A look at the celebrities who cheered Serena:

IMAGE: Serena with family and friends after winning her first round match. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: Vogue's formidable Editor Anna Wintour, in red dress and dark glasses -- who published Serena's announcement of her coming retirement from tennis in the September issue of the magazine -- and Serena's mother Oracene Price (with blonde curls) in Serena's box. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

IMAGE: Mike Tyson -- who starred in Liger along with Vijay Deverakonda -- at the Arthur Ashe stadium. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: Serena with husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: Actors Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman with alpine ski legend Lindsey Vonn. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: Serena, greeted by all-time tennis legend Billie Jean King after the match. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: The Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York perform before Serena's match. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: Former US President Bill Clinton. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: Serena is interviewed by Gayle King after her victory. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

IMAGE: Supermodel Bella Hadid, left, poses for a selfie with a fan. Photograph: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

IMAGE: American rapper Queen Latifah. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

Recommended by Rediff.com