SERENA OUT ON A WAVE OF EMOTION

TO watch Serena Williams try her heart out as darkness descended on Wimbledon on Tuesday was to witness the dying of one of sport’s most brilliant lights.

And as they waved Williams (above) from a ground on which she has stomped for over two decades, there cannot have been a soul who believed it was just farewell and not goodbye.

It was a poignant moment. Seven times a singles champion at the All England Club, no one has done more for the cause of women’s tennis than Serena.

For its inclusivity, for its reputation and, perhaps most significantly, for its battle to stand on an equal footing to the men’s game.

Williams’ unrivalled legacy is secured and even if she was to return – closer to 42 than 41 – and again lose in the first round, that legacy would not be tainted.

But to the natural-born competitor in Williams, the loss to Harmony Tan, ranked outside the top 100, will hurt.

It will not be an experience she would be keen to suffer again.

Considering she had been out of action for a year with injury, the physical demands against a player 16 years her junior looked too great.

“I think, physically, I did pretty good,” she protested. “But you know, I think the last couple of points, I was really suffering there.

“If you’re playing week in, week out, or even every three weeks, every four weeks, there’s a little bit more match toughness.”

For Williams to be competitive at the elite level once again would be a minor miracle, although no one would make that a total impossibility, considering her record.

But, realistically, the biggest decision left for Williams to make is when and where to say that farewell.

By playing her first singles since limping away in tears from Wimbledon a year ago was an achievement in itself.

She did not want to hobble away, she wanted to walk away tall – and that is what she has done.

But the grand departure will surely come at Flushing Meadows in two months’ time.

Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slams, said: “There’s definitely lots of motivation to get better and to play at home. When you’re at home – especially in New York, and the US Open, that being the first place I won a Grand Slam – it is something that’s always super special.”

And, hopefully, her last appearance will be equally special.

She deserves it.