"We are going to remember Serena Williams the person forever" according to Mats Wilander

Serena Williams won't play tennis anymore but Mats Wilander paid tribute to the legendary player after her loss in the US Open.

Wilander has paid close attention to tennis ever since he retired as he worked as a tennis analyst for many years. He knows her career very well and watched her play numerous times. Speaking after her loss to Tomljanovic, Wilander said:

"Serena has meant so much for tennis and the world, but for America as well. I was watching the crowd and there are so many people here that have never been to a tennis match before - they didn’t know what the score was, they were talking through the points – she has just brought tennis to a completely new level and transcended the sport. We are going to remember Serena the person forever."

He continued by praising her for her US Open effort:

"Of course, Serena Williams’ serve is absolutely beautiful, but we’re going to remember her mostly for her fighting spirit. Even today she showed it, she refused to go away. Amazing. I have to say I am so impressed with the way she went about this whole journey playing these three matches. She clearly doesn’t want to lose but she never got to the point where she was desperate. The balance was completely right."

And added that it's the best retirement he's ever seen:

“She gave people hope she could win the US Open, but then again it was the reality that it doesn’t really matter because we are watching Serena maybe for the last time. I am so impressed with not only her greatness, but her spirit. Unbelievable. We’ve seen a lot of players quit, but this is the best retirement I’ve seen by far – if she retires."