Serena dedicates final appearance to America
Serena Williams said she was dedicating her US Open final appearance to her country on the day that America marked the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks
Williams, a three-time champion, was taking on Australia's Samantha Stosur on Sunday at Flushing Meadows with the final starting just minutes after a brief, low-key ceremony was held on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I'll be a proud American amongst all the New Yorkers," 29-year-old Williams told CBS.
Earlier the former world No 1 had tweeted: "My Thoughts and prayers to all who lost loved ones on 9/11. I know the entire country is with you today. I'm playing for you today."
On the court where the infamous date of '9/11/01' had been discreetly painted in white for the weekend, singer Queen Latifah asked the 22 000-crowd for a moment's silence to remember the victims of the attacks.
She performed a moving rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before a giant American flag was unfurled over the court.
The two finalists entered arena through an honour guard composed of the New York Police Department, Fire Department and Port Authority Police.
Williams finished runner-up to older sister Venus in the 2001 final and had admitted on Saturday that she was desperate to reach another title match.
"It'll feel more special for me. I wanted to be in the final with everything that New York and the United States has been through. It's hard to believe it's been 10 years."
Defending men's champion Rafael Nadal had paid a moving tribute to victims of the 9/11 attacks on Saturday night, telling fans that they would be in his thoughts on Sunday.
"I just want to send all of my support to the families of the victims of September 11th. I have terrible memories of that day," said Nadal to loud cheers after beating Britain's Andy Murray to reach Monday's final.
The Spaniard later vividly recalled witnessing the attacks as a 15-year-old.
On September 11, 2001, he was in Madrid, playing in his first professional tournament.
Earlier that year, he had spent a happy family holiday in New York.
"I don't know exactly how to say in English, but the... image (of the Twin Towers falling), what I remember from that moment is probably...unforgettable," he said.
"So that was really fresh for me at that moment, because I had been there on the top of the Twin Towers, four months before. I went here for holidays with my family. So I really didn't believe what happened.
"It's a hard day for all the people here in New York, all the people in America. But I think for all the people around the world, too, no?"