Serena at the US Open

Serena Williams

I'm into how twinkly this is.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dubreuil Corinne/ABACA/Shutterstock (13351302g) Serena Williams (USA) plays her first round match victory at the 2022 US Open at Billie Jean National Tennis Center in New York City, NY, USA, on August 29, 2022. US Open - Serena Williams Wins Her First Round, New York City, United States - 29 Aug 2022

I liked the inherent drama in her walking out wearing a very long sparkling skirt, although the skirt itself was underwhelming.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dubreuil Corinne/ABACA/Shutterstock (13351302i) Serena Williams (USA) plays her first round match victory at the 2022 US Open at Billie Jean National Tennis Center in New York City, NY, USA, on August 29, 2022. US Open - Serena Williams Wins Her First Round, New York City, United States - 29 Aug 2022

It appears it was also detachable. So if it looked like an elaborate drape... that's because maybe it was.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ella Ling/Shutterstock (13331084cy) Serena Williams celebrates winning the first set during her first round match US Open Championships 2022, Day One, USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, USA - 29 Aug 2022

You cannot tell me her passion for winning has diminished. This is what she did when she got match point.

The shoes really are fantastic.

The MAMA and QUEEN tags are a nice touch.

Olympia and Alexis

Speaking of! Olympia is very much On Instagram and was all over the broadcast, so I don't feel weird about showing the pictures of her. She is also THE CUTEST. Look at her with her camera!. ESPN split the screen between this and a shot of Richard Williams taking pictures of Serena when she won the US Open in 1999.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Larry Marano/Shutterstock (13350883am) Alexis Ohanian and Olympia Williams are seen as Serena Williams Vs Danka Kovinic at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing, New York, USA - 29 Aug 2022 US Open Championships 2022, Day One, USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, USA - 29 Aug 2022

I hope Alexis Ohanian is as rock-solid as he seems. I haven't heard anything to the contrary, but you know how it is. He seems to adore both Serena and Olympia, and to only ever want Serena to shine as brightly as she can. All good things. Also this pic is so snuggly.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Larry Marano/Shutterstock (13350883q) Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, Olympia Williams, Isha Price are seen as Serena Williams Vs Danka Kovinic at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing, New York, USA - 29 Aug 2022 US Open Championships 2022, Day One, USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, USA - 29 Aug 2022

Also, the sisters Williams famously wore the white beads in their hair in early days, and Serena wore them when she won in 1999. I LOVED seeing Olympia echo that. Serena said she almost wore them herself, but ran out of time to make it happen.

Gotta love a tutu.

Danka Kovinic

A word about Danka: She played a great match in suboptimal circumstances. She got called onto the court first and then had to sit out there and wait while ESPN played one of its many Serena montages, and THEN Serena came in and the fans all went nuts, and it said GREATEST OF ALL TIME all around on the stadium crawls... That must mess with a person's head. I'm sure tennis players are used to it to some degree -- every place has a crowd favorite -- but Danka acquitted herself really well and I hope she, too, was able to enjoy the moment (as much as you can when you lose).

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andrew Schwartz/SIPA/Shutterstock (13351330cq) Serena Williams competes in the 2022 US Open inside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Flushing NY on August 29, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Schwartz) 2022 US Open Tennis Championships, queens, Usa - 29 Aug 2022

I mean, imagine having to warm up while footage of your opponent's historic wins is is playing around you. Imagine how that felt for Serena, too! At least she has a matching jacket to sustain her.

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson popped up in the crowd to see how a champ can win WITHOUT biting off anyone's ear.

Bella Hadid, Offset

Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock (13350907y) Bella Hadid and American Rapper Offset watch Serena Willams play Danka Kovinic of Montenegro in Arthur Ashe Stadium in the first round at the 2022 US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Monday, August 29, 2022 in New York City. Serena announced earlier this month she will be stepping away from tennis to focus on growing her family and other pursuits. Us Open Tennis, Flushing Meadow, New York, United Stated - 29 Aug 2022

Offset is dressed as Marty McFly, and Bella... is wearing an elaborately constructed WTF.

Lindsey Vonn

None of this looks very optimal for sitting and watching tennis.

Anika Noni Rose

She came out and belted the National Anthem, which at least explains her high level of glitz.

Gayle King

Full credit to Gayle for looking as fresh in this at the beginning of the night as she did at the end when she interviewed Serena. (She kind of made it about herself a bit much, though?)

Rebel Wilson

This is really cute.

Hugh Jackman

So serious, Hugh! Maybe he bet the under. (I jest. I don't even know what the under would be in a tennis match.)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by JEAN CATUFFE/DPPI/Shutterstock (13351064l) Serena Williams of USA celebrates her first round victory during day 1 of the US Open 2022, 4th Grand Slam tennis tournament of the season on August 29, 2022 at USTA National Tennis Center in New York, United States - Photo Jean Catuffe / DPPI TENNIS - US OPEN 2022 - WEEK 1, , New York, Etats-Unis - 30 Aug 2022

And, one more twirl. Hopefully not the last. She plays again today.