Last night Serena Williams demonstrated how to go out with a bang. From her attire, to her win and personality she gave fans an up close and personal look at how she intends to evolve once the US Open Tournament finishes.

Williams defeated Danka Kovinić in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in what is likely to be her last and final Grand Slam Tournament. Thousands came out to witness history including celebrity friends, Queen Latifah, Spike Lee, Anna Wintour, Mike Tyson, Gladys Knight and many many more.

One of the highlights of the night was seeing Serena’s babygirl, Olympia Ohanian watch excitedly in the stands as her mom took the court. The pair had on matching outfits that shined brightly in the stadium lights. The 4-year-old also wore the iconic hairstyle with braids and white beads that her mom rocked in her very first Grand Slam Tournament.

Olympia also snapped up photos of her mom on the court using a disposal camera, very similar to the time Serena’s father, Richard Williams, was seen capturing his daughter on the court back in 1999.

After taking home the victory Serena was joined center court with Gayle King to honor the Goat on her many years of success. When asked what helped her achieve the win she admitted that the crowd played a part and helped to give her that boost she needed. “The crowd was crazy,” she said.

King then proceeded to ask Williams why she decided it was time to walk away.

It’s been such a hard decision, you know. … It’s been a very hard decision because I think when you’re passionate about something, and you love something so much I think it’s always hard to walk away,” Williams said. “Sometimes it’s harder to walk away than to not and that’s been the case, so I’ve been trying to decide for a little while what to do.”

– Serena Williams

Serena has made it clear that she doesn’t like to use the term retirement so she sees this next transition in her life and career as an evolution

I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” she said.

– Serena Williams

As for what’s next on Serena’s agenda, spending quality time with family and friends, being an amazing mom to an amazing daughter, continuing to be a business woman and live life.

I have my VC company, Serena Ventures, and like I said we invest in a lot of people. We invest in women and people of color and men as well, we invest in everyone. I really wanted to spend more time at home and work on my spiritual life and that was really important to me.”

– Serena Williams

Williams will face world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit of Estonia in the singles round of 64 on Wednesday. Williams will also open doubles play with her sister Venus on Wednesday.

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