The crowd roared. People sprang from their seats in an explosion of cheers and applause. Serena Williams had taken the lead against No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit during their second-round match at this year’s U.S. Open tournament.
It was yet another feat of tennis from a legend who transcends the sport, and fans could not get enough. When cameras cut to her box at Arthur Ashe Stadium, supporters including her husband, Alexis Ohanian; Tiger Woods; Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor; and others were seen on their feet, applauding. In the midst of the uproar, one supporter appeared calm, cool and collected: the tennis star’s mother, Oracene Price.